After each winter storm, I am struck by the tranquility of the night. Frosted panes add their glow to the stillness of the night. Candlelight flickers and animal tracks stretch across untouched snow. It is a magical sight to watch winter gather its crystals and dust earth quietly.
After seeing a photo of my two little granddaughters sinking into the snow, I decided to digitize a picture to give winter credit for its undeniably inspiring beauty.
freshly-formed snowflakes fall
gently
on
winter
paths
gently
touching
little
noses
gently
snowflakes, freshly-formed, fall
©CVarsalona, 2022
❄❄❄
holds delight
for little skiers
sinking
into snow
toddlers stand still
winter
magic fills
the quiet air
❄❄❄
quietude exists in winter hush
stillness
surrounds
mellowing
evening
stillness
reverberates
quietly
crystalizing
stillness
quietude exists in winter hush
©CVarsalona, 2022
Since I am intrigued by the beauty of the snow in woods here in Virginia, I invite you to join me in creating any type of artistic expression in word, art, or music for Winter's Embrace Gallery. Tabatha Yeatts, our gracious Poetry Friday Roundup host this week, sent me some winter photos that are just lovely for the gallery. Thank you Tabatha for allowing my mind to wander in word wonder.
frosted berries iced
dipped in winter white crystals
seasonal sweet
©CVarsalona, 2022
Several years ago, Tabatha sent me this hauntingly beautiful painting from 1880 by Louise Abbema.
wrapped in winter peace
she pensively ponders life
iced thoughts surface
©CVarsalona, 2022
It's time to visit Tabatha Yeatts at Opposite of Indifference for her thoughts on pieces of a puzzle. She opens her site not only for her poetry goodness but for so many other poet friends.
Image collaged by Linda Mitchell
Snow evokes many emotions, Carol, and your poems are no different. 'Snow doubt about it', I absolutely love seeing your granddaughters with the snow "gently touching little noses". Pure sweetness. :)
ReplyDeleteBridget, photos of my little granddaughters inspire me to write about winter. They love it.
DeleteSuch wonderful poems for winter, each unique just like the snowflakes they celebrate. I think my favorite group of lines is
ReplyDelete"sinking
into snow
toddlers stand still"
I love the alliteration and the image the words create. Thank you.
Thanks, Rose. When I looked closely at the photo, I realized that the girls were sinking into the snow and voila a thought evolved for a poem.
DeleteQuietude is a word for something I need right now! What beautiful grandbabies in the snow...and the frosted berries are sweet, too. xo
ReplyDeleteWithin quietude, life exists in hushed moments. The word is special and so soothing that it opens my screen so I can capture it at all times, Irene. Your poetry does that for me also.
DeleteRed berries and winter snow are lovely together. Thanks for sharing your girls with us, all bundled up in the snow fall.
ReplyDeleteThe snow is gone from the lawns since the rain washed it away but the cold temperatures give us the winter chill. I have a flocked garland with lights in my front window in my study so the quiet of this room is so delightful. Be warm, Janice.
DeleteOh, my, your grand girls are snow-laden, Carol. What a cute picture, among all the wintry words and added pics. That painting from Tabatha is lovely! We have flurries today, but not much real snow as you've shared. Thanks for the praise of winter solitude.
ReplyDeleteLinda, since Friday I had the start of a cold. My household had a but during the week so it was bound to happen that I would succumb as well. My daughter is bringing the grandgirls from skiing in WVA so I have to take a COVID test because she is so super cautious. I'm still working on my winter swap.
DeleteWe haven't had a lasting snow here yet, and I look forward to one. Your photo of the grands reminds me that I have some to dig out from when the kids were little and we made snow creatures together. I'll see if I have some winter photos worth sharing... enjoyed it all... thanks for your quietude and crystal beauty.
ReplyDeleteKaren, old photos would be a delightful prompt for a winter image poem. Quietude exists in the winter hush. While looking at the sky, just got an idea for a poem. Winter wonder on a cold day is inspiring.
DeleteGood Morning, Carol. I woke up and opened my laptop to spend some quiet predawn time with poetry. So many beautiful words and phrases here. I love the use of "little noses" and, "quietude." Such pretty, pretty pictures to illustrate your poetry. The winter hush is such a nice place to retreat to after a busy day.
ReplyDeleteLinda, today the winter hush is lovely when inside looking outside (during this cold snap). My little girls love the snow no matter what. Have a snuggly night.
DeleteSnow is coming our way, and I will look to it, as you have, for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, I look out my window and see a beautiful blurred streak of pink against a gray sky. The ordinary sky has an artistic touch tonight. Nature nurtures us when we least expect it.
DeleteThank you for the peace, quietude and beauty of this post. Love the pic of your grand girls, and imagining snowflakes gently touching little noses.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you enjoyed the way I structured the post, Jama. Quietude is a state of peace and I love that word. May you enjoy the winter hush.
DeleteWhat a winter blast we are having even as far south as the Gulf coast. I love the quietude of it all. Thanks for sharing your words and images.
ReplyDeleteI heard about your up and down weather, Margaret. I am glad that quietude can be found. Have a wonderful week.
DeleteWhat a rich bevy of wintery poems and images you've shared with us Carol, love your ending berry haiku and your beginning skinny snowflake poem–and these lines paint such a vivid image,
ReplyDelete"little
noses
gently"
Thanks!
I shared my blog with my granddaughters and daughter tonight. They like looking at themselves in my pictures and listened carefully to the poem. Thanks for being one of the poets who commented, Michelle.
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well in your new country. Journey with Happiness.
DeleteCarol, I love the pic of your adorable granddaughters bundled up enjoying the snow. I think you have received more snow in VA, then we have here in Ballston Spa, NY. For reference, we live near Saratoga Springs. I love this line "It is a magical sight to watch winter gather its crystals and dust earth quietly." I also love seeing and following animal footprints in the snow. All of your winter poems are beautiful. These lines especially spoke to me "gently touching little noses", "winter magic fills the quiet air", "quietly crystalizing stillness", "seasonal sweet", and "wrapped in winter peace". That berry pic is bright and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your "winter peace" images, poems, and pics. I'm happy you're enjoying winter in VA and with your grandchildren. Thank you for sharing your inspiration and joy.
ReplyDeleteGail, I went to college in Albany so I know where Ballston Spa is. I laugh now because Virginia winters are getting like NY ones. This makes are 4th snowfall this month. I am writing a post about this for Two Writing Teachers. I received your postcard today and realized that you talked about the Adirondack Mountains. Thanks for the sweet mail. I have not sent out mine yet because I am in the process of being inspired.
DeleteI share your appreciation for winter wonders and so enjoyed this gathering of poems. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I am sorry that I did not see your comment sooner. Please consider sending me one of your winter wonder image poems for my Winter's Embrace Gallery.
Delete