Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
I love winter, even though I don’t do any winter sports. It’s just a time of beauty and renewal for me. But this year, for the first time in so many years, I’m not looking forward to it. I guess it’s because my connections with people have almost all been outside for the past 8 months, and winter in Minnesota is not an easy time to gather outside for, say, a picnic. So, I dug out this poem I wrote back in 2007 for a post about Grace Lin’s Robert’s Snow project. It’s much longer than the poems I usually write (and I cut a couple of words here and there to make it fit on this image)! But it’s a reminder to me of the beauty and magic of the coming winter.
And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Susan at Soul Blossom Living.
23 Responses
I will happily hibernate in a thermos of hot cocoa.…and the truth is, cocoa by yourself is not as fun. I’m not looking forward to winter either. I miss students. I want this pandemic to go away.
Amen, Linda. We will get through it, but it’s just not fun.
“Turn toward the hot cinnamon sunset of winter” is a beautiful image! Laura, perhaps you should try cross-country skiing in all that snow you must receive. I love it! Cross-country skiing keeps you warm and you could always bring a thermos of hot cocoa.
I did a bit of xc skiing for a couple of years. I liked it a lot, but it was often too cold to ski (at least for my clothes). My hands would go numb so quickly. :>( I do have a basic pair of snowshoes, and you have reminded me to make a bigger effort to get out into the snow this winter. thank you :>)
Okay, perhaps your enticing poem will help me get through the coming winter… I love the ending of your poem“winter disguises its sultriness…” and “life is cold without it” I’ll be looking for its warmth this winter, thanks Laura!
Thanks, Michelle!
I too love, turn toward the hot cinnamon sunset of winter. Beautiful.
Thanks–stole that from a tea flavor ;>)
Oh, I struggle with winter even in a good year. I’m trying to think of this one as nesting. I love hibernate in a furnace of thermos!
Nesting–yes. Mindset is everything.
I love the way you use writing to feel better about a situation — I do the same thing, and I’ve been doing it quite a bit lately. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Yes, self-care really dictates that I should spend at least 90% of my time reading or writing–the two most comforting things for me!
I like winter, too, though it can be challenging to get to places i want when it’s really snowy out. That is when I’m glad I live very near my grocery, Starbucks, a spice shop & a toy store. Walking out & bundled up “fuzzy-furry” is a nice thing. Love that “defense”, Laura!
I wish I had a coffee shop in walking distance. Well, there’s one a mile away, sort of, in a grocery store, but our icy sidewalks and downhill journey to it make it a treacherous outing in the winter. (And not open to sit there now, anyway, due to the pandemic.) Colorado looks so gorgeous. I want to get back there someday for vacation!
Your welcome. Put warmer clothes and gloves on. Winter is pristine in the forest. I’m sure you’ll think of new winter poems. Enjoy!
I love this poem. You make people think twice about winter and its appeal. I do love winter and your words hot cinnamon sunset of winter.
THank you, Carol!
I love winter, so thanks for a poem spotlighting all its best qualities! Also, thanks for the reminder about Robert’s Snow. We were baby bloggers in 2007, but honored to be a part of that amazing outpouring of love and creativity.
Doesn’t it feel like forever ago?
So many breathtaking lines — I can’t even decide where to begin thanking you for the absolute artistry. Hot cinnamon sunset of winter — perfect — love that you stole it from a tea flavor! “Mercy of a moist breath caught in a striped scarf” — that nearly brings me to tears. It speaks to me of gratitude for being alive. Warmth and preservation.
Thank you so much, Fran! Yep, gratitude and warmth…focusing on those for the coming winter.
Winter is different here in the deep south. I love finally being able to make a fire in the fireplace. Your detailed imagery makes winter seem like a welcome companion. I hope we can all find that sense of rest and peace this year.
Thanks for sharing this poem about the warmth of winter. This promises to be a different kind of winter–as it’s been a different kind of year. But I appreciate the reminder of the “sultriness” hidden in the cold–the furnace in a thermos of hot chocolate, the sauna of a car interior, holding mittened hands–such lovely, sensual images!