I Saw no Death in The Snow

In silver falls, a lunar incandescent trance, 

Softly does the snow drift dance 

The solemn tears from violet eyelashes shake

From penumbral shadows in darklings wake 

How this light kiss of death shows 

The stark, cold, beauty in stones repose 

As idols tease their flurry shawls 

Closed over worn faces like funeral palls.

Tis strange how such purity can bring 

Upon its virgin tips a death knell ring

The bitter wastes that such winters wrought

Make cold men's hearts, and heavy men's thoughts 

We all must bear against this tundral tide

Abandon black thoughts, place our arms aside.

Upon this easel, this plain parchment white

Colour our humanity from the blanch of respite. 

I saw no death in the snow

This white mirror of mortality shows 

The envy of nature, the pap from Hera's breast 

Spilt over the infant lips, Zeus transgressed.

We babes drink from this spiritual sight

And rest on the pure bosom of earthly delight

We beg for snow to come once more

To hide the bruises of a world so sore.   

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

I echo the sentiments of those who've noted the classical feel of the piece. Though the meter is a bit rough in spots (and I say this knowing fully I live in a glass house) the rhyme scheme is smooth, flawless, and unforced. Fine piece of writing.

[R Smith]

I saw the birth of an immense talent, James you have the world of poetry at your feet this poem is beyond any comparison

[Lyn Anderson]

How interesting the last stanza. The snow does hide a lot of things.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Shades of poets from the past in this beautifully crafted wonderful poem full of pathos. Don't think you meant to repeat the word 'from' in the first line of the final stanza?

[James McFadyen]

No I didn't thank you for pointing that out!