How Sleeps the World

How sleeps the world
in winter’s solemn slumber
cloaked in icy white blankets
of embroidered frost.
Echoes of autumn’s song
still stirring the clouded sky.
Spring’s swelling crescendo
rehearsing her grand entrance.
Summer but a distant apparition,
an island of sweet embraces.
And underneath are roused roots
wispy curling fingers
reaching,
rolling,
seizing,
straining
through stone and sand,
gripping tight to earth’s shroud.
Listen to wind whispers
softly dancing across windows
and wintry walkways,
shyly sighing,
speaking
in dreams of
dancing daylight.
Glimpse the soft sun’s caress
to awaken the day
with winter’s wonderland.

Reviews

[Dr. YumnaKay]

"dreams of
dancing daylight."
Lovely alliteration here and I love the imagery in your poem, even though it makes me sad about winter having finally gone at least from my part of the world...
You do have a way with words with takes the reader in. I enjoyed reading this one :))

[An owl on the moon]

Oh dear Yumna, may you find the beauty of winter inside you whenever you wish it to rise. Thank you for stopping in the chill air here to send your joy across the sea. :))

[Kelly Scheppers]

A most profound, illuminating and compelling read from the hand and mind of one whom I refer to as a poetic genius. I was enlightened as I scrolled down the page, reading of "how sleeps the world in winter's solemn slumber". How glorious a title ever penned, how enchanting a poem ever read!

[An owl on the moon]

You always bring so much light and joy wherever you go, dear Kelly. So thankful for your wondrous visit. :)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That is a profound way to see winter... the wold sleeping like a bear hibernating.
LOVE IT!!

[An owl on the moon]

My friend, always so good to have you visit! :)

[Mrudula Rani]

The organic form you have chosen for your poem is absolutely beautiful, Craig. It reminds me of Mother Nature's perfection on a pedestal. Another exquisite writing from your wonderland passel. inspiring and enchanting... Mother Nature forever at work making preparations for an unending cycle of seasons.
Oi querido, sabe, agora aqui no Brasil carnaval tá acontecendo! Todos nós está de férias. Espero que tudo está ótimo com você.uma grande abraço para você.

[An owl on the moon]

Dear Mrudula, I deeply appreciate your kindness and rich comments... always. Espero que tenha gostado do Carnaval lá no Brasil. Desejando-lhe uma linda semana de alegria agora ... e enviando grandes abraços.

[Mrudula Rani]

Dear Craig, thank you for your beautiful wishes. Carnival is just over and every one is slow recovering from samba and the week long holidays. Hope you have a wonderful week. Wishing you all the best my gorgeous friend.

[An owl on the moon]

May your week bring you much rest now... much peace... endless joys, precious friend. Your presence always lifts me.

[Stella Armour]

wow!
your imagery is just wonderful ... i am in awe :)

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you so much, dear Stella. :)

[Cherrie Palmer]

How sleeps the world...
A perfect line that yields itself to your Winter amazment.

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, Cherrie, so glad to have you back here again! :)

[emmajoy]

Seems like a wish in waiting, longing more, perhaps for Winter to loiter a while, enjoying its glistening rest.. waiting in cold yet contented sleep. But then, the past seasons enjoyed, bathed in and remembered make room for first the icy cold then the glorious rising song of Spring. Each season prepares and closes the one before, after.. working, resting until.. .. Your words allow Winter to glow in its own way, unashamed, as should be. Aware that Human kind has to accept whatever, but still does its poetic and visual best to show its own kind of glory. Perhaps.

'Listen to wind whispers - softly dancing across windows - and wintry walkways, - shyly sighing, - speaking - in dreams of - dancing daylight. '

Beautiful language as ever, Craig.. you write as if there were no tomorrow, illustrate with great care and come up master of a thousand thoughts let loose.

[An owl on the moon]

How you write with such a gentle Dorset whisper. I know you see dear winter flying over your fields there. I so hope it has been tender for you, and not fierce in its fury. Wishing too all joys for you and your precious ones. :)

[emmajoy]

Our Winter's been worrisome at times, just had Storm Freya visit.. but we've certainly not had the awful and tragic times that other places have, Craig.. So, we need count blessings. Thanks lots for your wishes, returned in full to you and your darlings.

[An owl on the moon]

Yes, winter is a wildness yet uncontained. Such horrors here it would seem, in endless snows and ice, and tornadoes on the edges. Maybe it will pull as back together. The world here is so fragmented right now. So glad to receive your kindness and your wishes to bring everything better across the sea.

[emmajoy]

The weather could be battling on behalf of itself, Much of what we endure comes from Man's general indifference and lack of love of and for our world.. as well you know. Take care..

[Chris Shaw]

Your opening lines are incredibly poetic. Beautiful expression and imagery of a sleeping winter environment. A calmness, a stillness where growth is in hibernation until spring arrives, and the cycle of rebirth starts again. I very much enjoyed your lines and where you took me. Some great alliteration. Wonderful writing. All good wishes

Chris

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you so much, Chris. You always lift me... you lift us all here. :)

[lightsong]

beautiful images, expressions and feelings, Your title, the first two lines drifted us into another world, You wrote Winter in the perfect wondrous way, the way which I dearly love, though it's the somber Winter yet Your lines drip with lots and lots of loveliness, warmth and real beauty, when though the winds the Spring's breeze whispers softly, and through the coldness the Summer's Sun yearning with warmth, wonderful write my friend.

[An owl on the moon]

What a joy to read your kind words, Light. Your presence is always welcome here. How I hope your world is filled with inspiration.

[Ghost of Jupiter]

How do you even make winter sound so lovely? Lol. Absolutely loved the alliteration here ..."Listen to wind whispers, softly dancing across windows, and wintry walkways"
You gave us a peek inside a snowy scene yet planted the hope of spring into your words. Gorgeous, as always. :)

[An owl on the moon]

You are so kind, precious Ghost! I think the longer I live the more my soul needs to paint the dark and cold with brighter colors, just to survive. So happy you were back by! :)