Still Possible

by David Whyte

The poems in Still Possible pay homage to the invisible passage of time - the deep, private current that wends through our lives as a steadfast companion, sculpting our interior worlds as inexorably and exquisitely as its visible manifestations. Whyte turns his eye, and his pen, to the possibilities and harvests this shaping reveals: the shyness and vulnerability of love, the illusion of imperfections, and the new invitations that beckon along the way.

The poems reflect an abiding faith in time's wisdom: a journey turned away from in youth waits patiently for later maturity; an early experience ripens in secret to reveal, decades later, a full understanding. Under Whyte's poet-philosopher gaze, a rain-soaked in an Irish farmhouse becomes a meditation on the essence of a truly good day: a settled contentment, alert and open to whatever may call. Plus sheep, Seamus Heaney and a dog.

Powerful language rests on a foundation of what isn't said, a silence underpinning the eloquence of articulation. In this way, Still Possible hovers above the numinous and the unknowable - what we pray for, what we pass on, what mystery awaits and, in the end, what it might mean to be happy.

Genres: Poetry

156 pages, Paperback

Expected publication December 8, 2121

About the author

Poet 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.

Reviews

[Jolene Gen]

So many beautiful poems

From “What I must tell myself “

When one thing dies
all things
die together,
and must live again
in a different way,
when one thing is missing,
and must be found
again
In a new whole,

and everything
wants to be complete,
everything wants to be
to go home

From “My courageous life”

My courageous life
still wants
my company:
wants me to
understand
my life as witness
and thus
bequeath me
The way ahead.

[Monica Snyder]

“…It’s still possible in the end
to realize why you are here
and why you have endured,
and why you might have suffered
so much, so that in the end,
you could witness love, miraculously
arriving from nowhere, crossing
bravely as it does, out of darkness,
from that great spacious stillness
inside you, to the simple,
light-filled life of being said.”

[Laura]

The Well
and
My Courageous Life
=
Everything ❤️

[Aidan Jude]

Best work of contemporary poetry I’ve read in years. Saw Gracie Abrams post about it on her Instagram. Have always respected her songwriting and emotional depth. Good taste in prose too it appears.

[Elena]

An absolutely gorgeous book. Get a cup of tea, a comfy chair and 2 hours of time and devour this in one sitting. Whyte has a way of writing that just takes my breath away. In such simple prose he gets to the depth of so much of what it means to be human. This collection was no different. A beautiful and moving read.

[Molls]

Crying in the bar

[Joni Greenwell Bycroft]

The poems in Still Possible pay homage to the invisible passage of time - the deep, private current that wends through our lives as a steadfast companion, sculpting our interior worlds as inexorably and exquisitely as its visible manifestations. Whyte turns his eye, and his pen, to the possibilities and harvests this shaping reveals: the shyness and vulnerability of love, the illusion of imperfections, and the new invitations that beckon along the way.

The poems reflect an abiding faith in time's wisdom: a journey turned away from in youth waits patiently for later maturity; an early experience ripens in secret to reveal, decades later, a full understanding. Under Whyte's poet-philosopher gaze, a rain-soaked in an Irish farmhouse becomes a meditation on the essence of a truly good day: a settled contentment, alert and open to whatever may call. Plus sheep, Seamus Heaney and a dog.

Powerful language rests on a foundation of what isn't said.

[Murf Reeves]

David Whyte's Still Possible hit me like a ton of sunbeams. The words felt like old friends and the messages and emotions within seemed to be written for me as a familiarity flowed through me as I read the poems. The title poem was the one that spoke to me the most; begging and daring me to live fully with love, tears flowing from my eyes daily. I really love that idea.
I am starting to keep a book of poems by the bedside and when I need a quick hit of something I read a poem. Thank you David Whyte.

[Cindy Brookshire]

A friend who loves Ireland gave me this book. I really liked two poems, "It Happens to Those Who Live Alone," with the line "life happens by to those who inhabit silence." Very appropriate for small town/rural living. For the writer, even if the page stays empty, life still happens, and it is in the stillness that I connect with the divine. "Still Possible" is another one I paused and savored. A good poem to share with other writers at the senior center, working on their memoirs.

[Kathy]

I'm only on the 8th poem and this collection is already a treasure. It will stay with me the rest of my life.

[Skye]

Excellent book of poetry. Only the second poetry book I've ever read all the way through.

[LuluRockets]

Absolutely outstanding.

[Tiare]

Tears reading this book, it’s like he wrote them for me, and yet he wrote them for everyone including himself.

[Ztian Sun]

We were able to bless each other in passing.

[JAck SøN]

I feel I will come back to Whytes poetry throughout life. Stunning collection.

[Elaine]

Read it with a cup of warm tea on my porch, and shed tears over his beautiful collection of poetry that speaks directly to my heart and soul 🥹

[BrighamBH]

Schindler’s List poem is so good; v nice collection of stories

[Danny Haritan]

4.5/5. Morning coffee read.

I wish I could understand how some people come up with beautiful poetry. David Whyte has a way with words that in my mind makes him stand out from other poets.

[mar]

10 favorites:
Beyond Santiago
-
Invisible
The Edge You Carry With You
-
The Well
Intimate Invitation
One Day
Auguries
-
Still Possible
-
The Pilgrim Island
What I Must Tell Myself