Happy Poetry Friday! Usually, when I recommend poetry books–whether it’s to educators, kids, or aspiring poets–I recommend focusing on very current books. But Barbara Juster Esbensen is one of my favorites, and her poems always feel like they could have been written just this morning.
In honor of the northeastern United States, which has gotten dumped on this winter, here’s a poem called “Blizzard.” This also reminds me of the time I got stuck in a blizzard trying to drive home from a school visit a few hours away. A truly terrifying experience. However, we’ve had very little snow in Minnesota this winter, and I wish we could get some more. Just not when I’m traveling to visit schools. :>) Stay warm and safe, everyone!
Blizzard
On the highway
herded by the wind
cars plow home.
There is no room
for sky or air
the space is filled
with white wings
that beat in thickest
rhythm
soundless and falling.
All night
I will dream of moths
and white birds.
–Barbara Juster Esbensen, all rights reserved
Don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup at the thoughtful and lovely Heidi Mordhorst’s My Juicy Little Universe.
48 Responses
We had a snow day today, worst snow last evening, but still snowing lightly. It’s a lovely poem, Laura. I love that ‘plow home’-just how it feels.
Y’all are just getting hammered! Stay warm and safe!
We had a snow day today, worst snow last evening, but still snowing lightly. It’s a lovely poem, Laura. I love that ‘plow home’-just how it feels.
Y’all are just getting hammered! Stay warm and safe!
I had a terrifying experience on the road in the snow last Saturday, so I can totally relate. I especially like “the space is filled/with white wings/that beat in thickest/rhythm/soundless and falling.” So perfect.
Something about the word “thickest” (I have no idea what) makes it feel so cozy and private and overwhelmingly white. Glad you’re safe, Tabatha!
I had a terrifying experience on the road in the snow last Saturday, so I can totally relate. I especially like “the space is filled/with white wings/that beat in thickest/rhythm/soundless and falling.” So perfect.
Something about the word “thickest” (I have no idea what) makes it feel so cozy and private and overwhelmingly white. Glad you’re safe, Tabatha!
Such a beautiful poem! And that ending: “All night/I will dream of moths/and white birds.” Wow. Hope you get your snow, Laura!
Thanks, Michelle. It will probably come when I’m on the road for school visits. Sigh:>(
Such a beautiful poem! And that ending: “All night/I will dream of moths/and white birds.” Wow. Hope you get your snow, Laura!
Thanks, Michelle. It will probably come when I’m on the road for school visits. Sigh:>(
This is my favorite kind of snow — in a poem, and not in real life. 🙂 Beautiful, those dreams of white birds… not so beautiful the traffic snarls created by ice on roadways in a southern city not accustomed to dealing with it! Excited for ROCK making it’s debut, Laura! Congratulations!!
Yes, true! Stay safe and warm, Irene–and thank you!
This is my favorite kind of snow — in a poem, and not in real life. 🙂 Beautiful, those dreams of white birds… not so beautiful the traffic snarls created by ice on roadways in a southern city not accustomed to dealing with it! Excited for ROCK making it’s debut, Laura! Congratulations!!
Yes, true! Stay safe and warm, Irene–and thank you!
What a great poem. The words are a treat…especially
“white wings
that beat in thickest
rhythm”
Wow!
Yes!
What a great poem. The words are a treat…especially
“white wings
that beat in thickest
rhythm”
Wow!
Yes!
Congratulations on A Rock, Laura! My favorite bit of this is
“There is no room
for sky or air”–
just moths and white birds all night. Lovely!
Sigh. It makes me dreamy every time I read that…
Congratulations on A Rock, Laura! My favorite bit of this is
“There is no room
for sky or air”–
just moths and white birds all night. Lovely!
Sigh. It makes me dreamy every time I read that…
No snow here, though my kiddos have had plenty in the lower Appalachians. Barbara Juster Ebsensen’s work is just timeless. And this one was particularly timeLY — thanks for sharing.
HUGE Congrats on A ROCK… you do, of course. Rock.
Glad you liked it, Robyn! And thank you:>)
No snow here, though my kiddos have had plenty in the lower Appalachians. Barbara Juster Ebsensen’s work is just timeless. And this one was particularly timeLY — thanks for sharing.
HUGE Congrats on A ROCK… you do, of course. Rock.
Glad you liked it, Robyn! And thank you:>)
parts of this poem seam honating like the last line thinking of how much snow some stats got this winter
Yes, true. I love snow. But I don’t want it to endanger people!
parts of this poem seam honating like the last line thinking of how much snow some stats got this winter
Yes, true. I love snow. But I don’t want it to endanger people!
Moths and white birds — stuff of clouds and dreams. Thank you for sharing this dear Laura.
So glad you like it, Myra–magical, isn’t it!
Moths and white birds — stuff of clouds and dreams. Thank you for sharing this dear Laura.
So glad you like it, Myra–magical, isn’t it!
“Soundless and falling” is exactly right. I actually love the peace snow falling. It’s the wind that I can live without. Thanks for sharing this lovely poem, Laura!
Yeah, the wind is only beautiful when you’re inside, looking out:>)
“Soundless and falling” is exactly right. I actually love the peace snow falling. It’s the wind that I can live without. Thanks for sharing this lovely poem, Laura!
Yeah, the wind is only beautiful when you’re inside, looking out:>)
This poem captured something of the puzzle that is a blizzard to me — that comforting whiteness:
white wings
that beat in thickest
rhythm
soundless and falling.
Just lovely!
Somehow that wild blizzard weather is so insulating. It makes me feel like I’m all alone in the world, but not alone, just happily ensconced in my own dream world. That pry doesn’t make any sense, but–as long as I’m not out driving in it–a great snowstorm or blizzard is indeed really comforting and beautiful!
This poem captured something of the puzzle that is a blizzard to me — that comforting whiteness:
white wings
that beat in thickest
rhythm
soundless and falling.
Just lovely!
Somehow that wild blizzard weather is so insulating. It makes me feel like I’m all alone in the world, but not alone, just happily ensconced in my own dream world. That pry doesn’t make any sense, but–as long as I’m not out driving in it–a great snowstorm or blizzard is indeed really comforting and beautiful!
One of my favorite children’s poets, and one that I’m heartsick I’ll never have a chance to meet. This is but one of the many poetic things we have in common, Laura. Thanks for highlighting her!
I’m not sure I would ever have considered writing poetry if I hadn’t heard her speak. Such a lovely poet!
One of my favorite children’s poets, and one that I’m heartsick I’ll never have a chance to meet. This is but one of the many poetic things we have in common, Laura. Thanks for highlighting her!
I’m not sure I would ever have considered writing poetry if I hadn’t heard her speak. Such a lovely poet!