Hands Of Winter
In the time
when day runs away from night
leaving it swelling
its starveling importance,
when shadow rimes the starling's wing
when the doe-rabbit shivers
in the scant iced grass
pretending to be naught,
winter's hands come
threaded with clouds,
threaded with clouds,
sewing over living and dead
the sleet-seamed shell of cold
that can't
be wished away.
~December 2013
55 shiny pellets of sleet for the g-man
Photo © joyannjones 2013
This is perfect. Your description of winter is felt upon the skin, and deep as bone.
ReplyDeleteuntil time allows us to break free of the shell to live again in spring...
ReplyDeletethough dang it, if its going to be this cold they should at least give us some snow
just saying....ha.
have a great weekend joy....
Exquisite, I so love this and agree with Kerry's feeling.
ReplyDeleteTerrific-- a new favorite--so much wonderful word play/sound play as well as vivid and naturalistic description--love the shadow riming, which is naturalistically true what with the shadow being coldest, but also describes that reverse shadow of white that comes with ice--the iced grass (somehow like glass) --the doe-rabbit--starvling and starling--even the idea of sew here is so much like sow, though that is unspoken. Sleet-seamed wonderful and again there's a weird echo where the it feels almost sleet-steamed (ha!) k.
ReplyDeleteThanks,k--you picked up on all the word-play perfectly--I almost used 'sow' and 'glass' here--fortunately I was limited to 55 words, so i couldn;t get too far astray. ;_)
DeleteThis beautiful poem almost (must stress ALMOST) made me like winter. The ice is extraordinarily beautiful. You have a magical way with words, hedgewitch.
ReplyDeletethe image of day running away from night is fabulous. there is not one word here that doesn't pack meaning and strength... starveling importance. Starlings and doe-rabbits make your winter fabric all the more tangible and steadfast. I can feel the crunch of grass underfoot. No wishing it away, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comments on my recent post, Hedge. Sometimes I sit wondering what/why I've written something/anything and you stop by with a fresh view. Honestly, it keeps me writing to know someone has heard. A warm thank you, again!
It's always my pleasure to read your exceptional work, Jane. Thanks for returning the favor.
DeleteThis sense of sleet takes us into its casements and rigor in a way that's still alive and o so potent--a special time, like the winter solstice, bewitching in its own way. And in need of a spell like this to see it through. Dial 55 for perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, B. Bewitched, bespelled and bewildered, that's me.
DeleteI've had my fill of how beautiful Old Man Winter's 'Icy Breath' is!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not even January yet...
Loved your Frozen 55
When described by your Hedgewitchian ways, it's almost palatable
Thank You for your loyal and unselfish support
Have a Kick Ass New Year...G
Same to you, G--and I echo your sentiments on the winter-I wish I could believe it was almost over, but I have a feeling it's just starting to get its aggro on.
Deletebrrrr. I'm of two minds posting photos of warm climes, not wishing to be boastful or rub it in (as though I had anything to do with how the sun shines, or doesn't) but also mindful that some take solace in the light ~
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the light, M., always. Thanks for reading.(We don't usually have much of a winter here either, but every twenty years or so it gets ugly.)
DeleteYour words painted it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful it aches.
ReplyDeleteThe picture and words describe what I am looking at from my window ~ This sleet is something else ~ Happy weekend ~
ReplyDeleteBrr! I love the winter hands, and the natural references to starling and rabbit. There's no hiding from this kind of cold, only the will to wait it out. First rate writing, Hedge.
ReplyDeleteBrrrr...I too love description of winter hands threaded with clouds. You've captured it beautifully, and the picture you have is exquisite too.
ReplyDeleteSo very beautiful Joy. I love the idea of winter's hands sewing--
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. I hope your Christmas was wonderful and wishing all the best for 2014.
ReplyDeleteThank you, ayala. And the same to you.
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