Wintershade

not sure

 

Wintershade haunts me.

I fear the days when I am happy,

With only the company of the cat.

I fear the cold stillness of winter,

 

Where only the dryness of the crackling fire

Radiates her song, devoid of form…

So, for now, I will enjoy

Honking geese, as they mock

My inability to migrate.

I will enjoy the restlessness of fall.

 

Half bare limbs, fence with stately poise,

The rushing thrusts of autumn...

 

Rejoice with me.

Today, the dog is still alive.

Besides, when there is only a wintershade,

Contently stroking the purring of sleeping desire,

 

Who I am will have followed the baying hound,

Beyond the chill of the rocking chair…

Reviews

[Belle]

Winter confinement is maddening. The enlightened white winter snow when you look out the window, the bare trees and the freezy winter air all are joy killers, but rejoice " the dog is still alive" and the cats still mew. Animals are bestfriends too.

The presence of the rocking chair is something. It denotes nostalgia from an aging man...

[David Scott]

Thank you for your comments Belle.
Animals have always been close to my heart and a part of my very soul...
I'm glad you picked up on this aspect. Also, they represent different emotions and have cultural connotations as they relate to haw we live our lives.
The chair is important as well. It represents momentum and potential energy held stagnant. Anticipation of moving on beyond the confines of the "porch" or the living room...

[Pax]

it was sad and tender to read. There are many things I fear but this cold stillness of winter is much more frightening... I donnot like the feelings it brought upon, perhaps I've been there but not deep enough to feel the haunting chills... this is really good mr. David, expressive and profound.

[David Scott]

Thank you Pax...
Yes, I was in an odd sort of mood the day I wrote this.
The Winter of this life is a haunting thought, but there is another eternal Spring beyond I believe.

[Kenaz]

I enjoyed this work because it was not overly emotional or complicated. I also liked how you managed to bring some humor to cold stillness of winter. Thank you.

[David Scott]

Thank you for your comments.
Actually, this poetry carries deep emotion for me. I understand it can be refreshing to not be smothered with overstatement. Ha.

[Kenaz]

Too many writers, including myself try to use words that aren't attached to our original meaning, but are just used for fillers. I like how you portrayed emotion without the fillers.

[David Scott]

I understood. Thank you for the complement. I tend to use too many "fillers" myself. Distillers are hard to maintain. It takes pure honesty... at least for me. :)

[Earthy Mumma Soul]

Awesome poetry , wonderful writing , your words really captured what's being said , admiration for your talent :) :)

[David Scott]

Thank you for your kind words Tiger.

[David Scott]

You're so in the "now" my friend, but observing the blanket of winter, already, missing the warmth of summer also, and living the fall... This was beautiful to read, because, it says how you stay in life, and it's how fearful new things (seasons in this case) may be, very stable to the as I said "now". Powerful words, beautiful poetry my friend.

- Elisa

[David Scott]

Thank you for your lovely comment. You understood my mindset well here.

You are ever so welcome my friend. :)

[Rachelle]

A vignette of that one frozen moment in time, sir? I have yet to meet Autumn or Winter - the closest being only to celebrate the mid-autumn moon festival in school. But the frequent changing of the seasons tempers the character of people living in it - something that we in the year-round sun drenched tropics will hardly develop. Foresight, anticipation, projection - it takes us some time to develop that. We only have two seasons: wet and dry, rain and sunshine. While we do prepare, those who live in the temperate zones have to prepare and adapt faster. We take our time. You have no option but to do it fast. So you freeze that moment now because things, relative to the slow and lazy tropics, are bound to change soon for the temperates. It is that frozen moment before you turn your attention to the impending changes brought upon by winter.

[David Scott]

You gave me some ideas with your response...
Thank you for the reflective comments and the inspiration.
Our environment does effect us and does change our affect as well... Interesting how weather patterns seem to build cultural psyche.
Good to see you r review this morning.

[Rachelle]

Just taking time off today before the big plunge this weekend. Hope you have time to check out "No Validity" when you have time. Anecdotal.

[Angi]

Fall has a way of slowing us down and then we start to feel those bumps and bruises we have taken. This poem doesn't make me feel sad, though. It is a kind of inventory taking that we need to do so we really get to know ourselves. I found this quietly beautiful, David. Angi~

[David Scott]

Oh good! I'm so glad you did not take this as a sad expression. It just is what is...
Thank you for reading and for seeing the write as intended.

[Angi]

You are very welcome. Nice to see you, btw!

[David Scott]

Back at ya. ;)

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Whoa.....This one is great..I enjoyed reading it..It expresses thoughts of those in their autumnal years..Growing old is definitely not for sissies..Thanks for your visits to my page..I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment..Sara

[David Scott]

Thank you Sara.
I was feeling this write deeply.

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

David,

I have those days myself..

Sara

[Great Aunt Astri]

The quiet resignation to the coming of winter and the quiet acceptance of lost love flow beautifully out of this poem, without sounding melancholy. Good write!

[David Scott]

Yes! You get it. Just honesty, not melancholy. I do fear some things in life. I think we all do. Still, I can choose to accept those fears and the realities I have no power over.
Thank you so much for the read and for your understanding.