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The Bell and the Blackbird
The House of Belonging has sold over 100,000 copies and contains some of his most beloved
- GenresPoetry
135 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2018
126 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
David Whyte
85 books1,550 followersPoet David Whyte grew up with a strong, imaginative influence from his Irish mother among the hills and valleys of his father’s Yorkshire. He now makes his home in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The author of seven books of poetry and three books of prose, David Whyte holds a degree in Marine Zoology and has traveled extensively, including living and working as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions in the Andes, Amazon and Himalaya. He brings this wealth of experience to his poetry, lectures and workshops.
His life as a poet has created a readership and listenership in three normally mutually exclusive areas: the literate world of readings that most poets inhabit, the psychological and theological worlds of philosophical enquiry and the world of vocation, work and organizational leadership.
An Associate Fellow at Said Business School at the University of Oxford, he is one of the few poets to take his perspectives on creativity into the field of organizational development, where he works with many European, American and international companies. In spring of 2008 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Neumann College, Pennsylvania.
In organizational settings, using poetry and thoughtful commentary, he illustrates how we can foster qualities of courage and engagement; qualities needed if we are to respond to today’s call for increased creativity and adaptability in the workplace. He brings a unique and important contribution to our understanding of the nature of individual and organizational change, particularly through his unique perspectives on Conversational Leadership.
The author of seven books of poetry and three books of prose, David Whyte holds a degree in Marine Zoology and has traveled extensively, including living and working as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leading anthropological and natural history expeditions in the Andes, Amazon and Himalaya. He brings this wealth of experience to his poetry, lectures and workshops.
His life as a poet has created a readership and listenership in three normally mutually exclusive areas: the literate world of readings that most poets inhabit, the psychological and theological worlds of philosophical enquiry and the world of vocation, work and organizational leadership.
An Associate Fellow at Said Business School at the University of Oxford, he is one of the few poets to take his perspectives on creativity into the field of organizational development, where he works with many European, American and international companies. In spring of 2008 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Neumann College, Pennsylvania.
In organizational settings, using poetry and thoughtful commentary, he illustrates how we can foster qualities of courage and engagement; qualities needed if we are to respond to today’s call for increased creativity and adaptability in the workplace. He brings a unique and important contribution to our understanding of the nature of individual and organizational change, particularly through his unique perspectives on Conversational Leadership.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 2, 2024
GOODBYE FOR NOW
"After the storm, and the sideways bluster of the rain,
after you had opened the door in the falling light
and stood upright in the shelter of the dripping thatch,
after the goodbye and the tears and the turning away,
there was that far, horizontal, ocean gleam across
the threshold of the West as if keeping the dark at bay,
a last farewell after your Wake, not a closing but an
invitation, not a last light but a glimmer of a meeting to be,
something that had happened before and would happen
again, seen now in the light of your going as the sheer,
miracle and gifted ordinariness of evening light, something
I realized you were now wondering at through my eyes,
something we were now seeing together from that invisible
foundation that waits on the other side of sadness,
something that had once been shared and would be again,
and then from the bright falling nowhere in the center
of the dying sun, a risen thought, almost spoken
between us, goodbye for now, and you, raising your hand
as if you'd see me again, making a way through the waves
and the sea-light, and the distant miles into the west."
"After the storm, and the sideways bluster of the rain,
after you had opened the door in the falling light
and stood upright in the shelter of the dripping thatch,
after the goodbye and the tears and the turning away,
there was that far, horizontal, ocean gleam across
the threshold of the West as if keeping the dark at bay,
a last farewell after your Wake, not a closing but an
invitation, not a last light but a glimmer of a meeting to be,
something that had happened before and would happen
again, seen now in the light of your going as the sheer,
miracle and gifted ordinariness of evening light, something
I realized you were now wondering at through my eyes,
something we were now seeing together from that invisible
foundation that waits on the other side of sadness,
something that had once been shared and would be again,
and then from the bright falling nowhere in the center
of the dying sun, a risen thought, almost spoken
between us, goodbye for now, and you, raising your hand
as if you'd see me again, making a way through the waves
and the sea-light, and the distant miles into the west."
November 7, 2019
Time just disappears when you read this book ... here one of David ‘s most beautiful poems
EVERLASTING
“Between waves, under the moon’s light
after the passing of your smile into memory
when the last silence falls and your voice
is no longer heard over the shadows
of the earth, when even the rain has stopped
and my memory and my words and my arms
and my hands that held you have fallen away
with the tide of time, retreating forever
into the beckoning everlasting dark;
when everything we know has gone,
when my heart has stopped and yours
no longer calls to mine through the distance
of our time together, others will live in this life
and this love and this light, that we have set
in motion, so that underneath that far off,
yet to arrive and sheltering darkness,
underneath the deep, almost touchable
nearness
of all things, underneath the breath of our
words
joining together for this privileged time of
times,
they will see in the distant pin prick stars
the returning light of the dawn we made
together,
as we live in the light and the love of those
who came before us, and who helped us to
see
and celebrate and recognize ourselves
and who brought us here and whose light
we now pass on, so that even at the end
of time, even in what looks like silence,
even in the quietest sense of disappearance,
even in the far distance of times beyond
our present understanding, we will be
remembered
in the way others still live, and still live on,
in our love. ”
EVERLASTING
“Between waves, under the moon’s light
after the passing of your smile into memory
when the last silence falls and your voice
is no longer heard over the shadows
of the earth, when even the rain has stopped
and my memory and my words and my arms
and my hands that held you have fallen away
with the tide of time, retreating forever
into the beckoning everlasting dark;
when everything we know has gone,
when my heart has stopped and yours
no longer calls to mine through the distance
of our time together, others will live in this life
and this love and this light, that we have set
in motion, so that underneath that far off,
yet to arrive and sheltering darkness,
underneath the deep, almost touchable
nearness
of all things, underneath the breath of our
words
joining together for this privileged time of
times,
they will see in the distant pin prick stars
the returning light of the dawn we made
together,
as we live in the light and the love of those
who came before us, and who helped us to
see
and celebrate and recognize ourselves
and who brought us here and whose light
we now pass on, so that even at the end
of time, even in what looks like silence,
even in the quietest sense of disappearance,
even in the far distance of times beyond
our present understanding, we will be
remembered
in the way others still live, and still live on,
in our love. ”
November 17, 2022
Vooropgesteld: David Whyte schrijft prachtige gedichten*. Alleen deze bundel was voor mij vaak te hoog over; en soms te zoet (vooral de stukken ‘Muse’ en ‘Seeing you’).
De gedichtjes geïnspireerd op Japan vond ik wel leuk. Ze deden me denken aan de waka’s van Ryokan**. En heel mooi is ‘The bell and the blackbird’: https://youtu.be/rEDAh4lQLfc - hier voorgelezen door Whyte zelf.
In mijn aantekeningen schreef ik over die laatste: ‘begrafenisgedicht’. Want dat kan Whyte goed: woorden geven aan dat wat eigenlijk niet uit te drukken is.
*Het vorige werk dat ik van hem las, gaf ik 5 sterren: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
** Review Ryokan: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
De gedichtjes geïnspireerd op Japan vond ik wel leuk. Ze deden me denken aan de waka’s van Ryokan**. En heel mooi is ‘The bell and the blackbird’: https://youtu.be/rEDAh4lQLfc - hier voorgelezen door Whyte zelf.
In mijn aantekeningen schreef ik over die laatste: ‘begrafenisgedicht’. Want dat kan Whyte goed: woorden geven aan dat wat eigenlijk niet uit te drukken is.
*Het vorige werk dat ik van hem las, gaf ik 5 sterren: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
** Review Ryokan: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 11, 2021
David Whyte speaks deep truths with amazing simplicity and eloquence, drawing from nature and life in general. Another one to acquire for the bookshelf.
May 31, 2018
For years, The House of Belonging has been my favorite poetry book. It's now The Bell and The Blackbird. It spoke to me deeply and in ways that made me feel like I was present for the described experiences. I read some of the poems over and over and over again to be sure I bathed in every word.
Reading this book was a personal experience for me and in ways that I cannot share here. However, I highly recommend reading it if you are a fan of David's poetry or even Mary Oliver's poetry. There is a lovely ode to her in the book.
Reading this book was a personal experience for me and in ways that I cannot share here. However, I highly recommend reading it if you are a fan of David's poetry or even Mary Oliver's poetry. There is a lovely ode to her in the book.
April 6, 2024
This book has some standouts that really moved me but I also struggled to get through it. Even though the poems are written in a simple, plain-language style reminiscent of Mary Oliver, they felt sort of removed and inaccessible. For me it was easy for them to slip by without grabbing onto anything and I had to sort of press or meditate my way into them, force myself to really slow down and notice slight adjustments to wording that sounded like simple repetition at first. I think the author intends a voice that is a companion to meditation in this way, but it made the experience of reading the book sort of opaque and work-like for me. I caught glimmers of great profundity and beauty but I did feel that I worked quite hard for what I got, and the collection felt perhaps too long (maybe just for my interest level?). I do think some of it is the author’s personality relative to mine. For example the author obviously has a deep connection to Ireland and for someone who shares that, the experience of these poems may be quite different. For me the connection to Ireland added another layer of difficulty because there was context to the poems that I lacked. I am glad I read this but I do also appreciate it when the experience of reading poems feels more natural or relatable for me
November 9, 2024
David Whyte’s poetry is like a beckoning hand inviting us to move nearer and follow his intimate voice along the fifty-three poems that are awaiting for us in this book.
As a reader and lover of Celtic culture, I could sense and understand how present is David Whyte’s Celtic Irish background in his poetry and how he shares his insights of a parallel world that lives within.
As I was progressing in the reading and (re)reading of each of the poems that make the nine chapters of this book, the idea of invitation was gaining strength within me.
This invitation introduces me to blessings and prayers. There are blessings for the light, for the sound and even a ”Prayer for an Invitation” that goes like this: “I pray for the world to find me in its own wise way.”
I also found poems dedicated to John O’Donohue on a “Blessing for the Morning Light” and to Mary Oliver on a “Homage’ “so simple, so clear, so here.”
This periple goes beyond the inner landscape. In his travels, David Whyte takes the reader also to Australia, Japan and Ireland.
I was, personally, drawn to follow his footsteps on the trail of Nakasendo. Reading his short poems on this chapter, appearing to be inspired by Haiku’s style, I thought for an instance that I was also in the presence of Basho.
As a reader and lover of Celtic culture, I could sense and understand how present is David Whyte’s Celtic Irish background in his poetry and how he shares his insights of a parallel world that lives within.
As I was progressing in the reading and (re)reading of each of the poems that make the nine chapters of this book, the idea of invitation was gaining strength within me.
This invitation introduces me to blessings and prayers. There are blessings for the light, for the sound and even a ”Prayer for an Invitation” that goes like this: “I pray for the world to find me in its own wise way.”
I also found poems dedicated to John O’Donohue on a “Blessing for the Morning Light” and to Mary Oliver on a “Homage’ “so simple, so clear, so here.”
This periple goes beyond the inner landscape. In his travels, David Whyte takes the reader also to Australia, Japan and Ireland.
I was, personally, drawn to follow his footsteps on the trail of Nakasendo. Reading his short poems on this chapter, appearing to be inspired by Haiku’s style, I thought for an instance that I was also in the presence of Basho.
January 7, 2024
Book #35 of 2021. "The Bell and The Blackbird" by David Whyte. 3/5 rating.
This is a book of poetry by David.
I loved some of the lines and even whole poems in this book, but overall, I thought it was just an okay collection.
A few of my favorite lines:
- "Just beyond
yourself.
It's where
you need
to be."
- "I pray to be wanted
and needed
by those I have
learned to love
and those
I must learn to love."
- "never counting our hours together as one heart,/
but counting every single one we spend apart."
- "I want you
to come across
your self
and see
yourself,
the way I did
that first
morning,
as a beautiful
incredibly
kind
and inviting
stranger."
- "I am a man
in
love with
possibility"
If you really love poetry, this might be a collection to check out, but I think that you probably could find a better book to spend your time getting cultured on.
This is a book of poetry by David.
I loved some of the lines and even whole poems in this book, but overall, I thought it was just an okay collection.
A few of my favorite lines:
- "Just beyond
yourself.
It's where
you need
to be."
- "I pray to be wanted
and needed
by those I have
learned to love
and those
I must learn to love."
- "never counting our hours together as one heart,/
but counting every single one we spend apart."
- "I want you
to come across
your self
and see
yourself,
the way I did
that first
morning,
as a beautiful
incredibly
kind
and inviting
stranger."
- "I am a man
in
love with
possibility"
If you really love poetry, this might be a collection to check out, but I think that you probably could find a better book to spend your time getting cultured on.
May 1, 2020
I don't know how to write about poetry. I don't have a vocabulary for it. All I know is The Bell and the Blackbird is a good collection of poems. The poet David Whyte has this breathless way of writing, as if in the process of introducing you to something, a solid white lamb in the middle of a field, say, he cannot wait to tell you something else, the tilt of the lamb's head, its fluffy cotton body, tall blades of grass swaying in the wing against the lamb's hooves, the click of one's wrist as an unseen bone pops as one lifts a camera to snap a picture of this creature abandoned in the middle of the field-- Even this is a poor imitation. If you like poetry, you'll probably like The Bell and the Blackbird.
November 8, 2022
A beautiful and deeply moving collection of poems about love and loss, the goodbyes from dear friends with whom we continue to share and communicate across the realms. I especially loved 'Prayer for James Monahan' and the poems for John O'Donoghue: 'Goodbye for Now', 'Maam Cross' and 'Avignon Elegy'. Some poems take us towards the road ahead, such as 'Just Beyond Yourself':
'There is a road always beckoning. When you see the two sides of it closing together at that far horizon and deep in the foundations of your own heart at exactly the same time, that's how you know it's the road you have to follow ...'
'There is a road always beckoning. When you see the two sides of it closing together at that far horizon and deep in the foundations of your own heart at exactly the same time, that's how you know it's the road you have to follow ...'
May 5, 2024
I love David Whyte, and many of his poems are breathtaking. This is a beautiful collection with a few gems. Some of my highlights include, ‘Just Beyond Yourself’, ‘The bell and the Blackbird’, the entire Blessings section and ‘Everlasting’. Something about the tone or rhythm of some sections didn’t resonate as much with me. The extensiveness and flamboyant nature of some poems as well weren’t my favourite. His poetry collection, “The House of Belonging” however, remains one of the most gorgeous poetry collections I have ever read.
April 4, 2022
Many gems in this collection! Whyte's poems are a reliable compass for getting one's bearings on the way to finding true-self. By no means does his poems hand you a bag answers, but instead they help with sifting through all the competing voices pulling us here, pushing us there, and offer a steady beacon by which we can find our way to authentic self and live our lives offering up our unique voice, talents, and gifts to those around us.
May 4, 2018
Like all of David Whyte’s books, I couldn’t put this down. I know that’s usually said about a suspense novel or novel with super strongly-written characters, but Whyte’s poetry speaks to me in a way unlike any other poet. This newest collection is heavy, dark, healing and inspiring all at once. Beautiful pieces and a magnificent collection.
February 24, 2019
I really appreciate Whyte’s lyrical flow of words, though sometimes I feel myself getting lost in them a little too much. His poetry can move me to tears and vividly imagine places I’ve never been. After listening to his On Being appearance, I read his poetry as if he’s speaking it and I love listening to his words in his voice in my head.
March 17, 2019
I have read many of David Whyte's books (prose and poetry) and attended several of his lecture events with great satisfaction. In this book I am inspired by his language and his poems about grief and losing someone we love. It is especially motivating to read references to the meaningfulness of walking in many of his poems. I will continue to read his books.
November 13, 2018
As good as it gets and then some
Some folk just have that gift, and yes I know he will have worked god-damned hard to put these words together, but he does have that gift, that gift which just keeps on giving.
Some folk just have that gift, and yes I know he will have worked god-damned hard to put these words together, but he does have that gift, that gift which just keeps on giving.
October 11, 2019
Beautiful
I read in the morning before the sun came up and on the subway at rush hour. I read it in David Whyte’s voice and matched my breathing with the rhythm of the lines. I’ll be reading and re-reading this for a while.
I read in the morning before the sun came up and on the subway at rush hour. I read it in David Whyte’s voice and matched my breathing with the rhythm of the lines. I’ll be reading and re-reading this for a while.
November 26, 2020
This poetry collection from David Whyte draws from life and the human condition, nature, travel, zen, the religious experience, and from (what I assume to be) Irish folklore. I took my time with this book, and enjoyed it. I'm still very much a poetry novice, but it's growing on me.
December 31, 2020
Always deeply moved and inspired by the complex yet clear insights of David Whyte’s work. This poet/philosopher/raconteur/ adventurer helped to keep me sane during Pandemic 2020, with numerous, engaging Zoom programs, and I am grateful!
March 11, 2022
There is a freshness and clarity to David Whyte’s poetry that is striking and that I really love. A lot of his poems feature the landscapes of human thought and emotion and relationships, as well as actual landscapes and I loved this ongoing comparison with its similarities and contrasts.
December 27, 2018
Beautiful book by one of my favorite poets. Especially like the Just Beyind Yourself and Seeing You sections.
February 10, 2021
There are some really beautiful musings in poetry form in this book. I read it in one go after waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to sleep!
March 13, 2021
At times complex. Pulled me in to its depth every single time. Calm. Nature.
September 12, 2021
A must read.
Read
November 17, 20214.5 ⭐️
January 27, 2022
Just didn't really connect with these. I think the craft was there though.
July 27, 2022
Poems that moved me:
Blessing for the Light
A Blessing for Unrequited Love
Prayer for an Invitation
Winter Grief
and my favorite Avignon Elegy
Blessing for the Light
A Blessing for Unrequited Love
Prayer for an Invitation
Winter Grief
and my favorite Avignon Elegy
November 25, 2022
If you love David Whyte - it delivers. I just loved it.
December 12, 2022
A few nice poems. Loved the motif of disappearing/reappearing and the references to the moors.
April 26, 2023
Heart-expanding transportive magic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews