Winter's Last Rasp

Glacial remnants shudder and moan,

while snow drifts sigh and slump

beneath the waning Winter sun.

Spring's warm breath mingles

with the mist of Winter's last

rasp and feeds the spirits that lie

in stasis below.

Unraveled, the gray threads of Winter

are re-spun into gold and woven

slowly through the muted

meadows and frozen fjords.

Winter lies upon his icy mantle

and closes his eyes.

He listens to the murmurs

of flowing streams and the trickled

conversation of icicles;

and ever so slowly he sleeps.

While he slumbers the world

languidly stretches and banishes the

darkness and ghosts from its realm.

Pastels give way to their brighter brethren

signifying that the soft bed of life

has once again been made.

Reviews

[R. L. Ives]

signifying that the soft bed of life
has been once again been made

What a beautiful picture this paints. By this time of winter one longs to see any signs of life in nature, having looked at bare and gray for so many months. And coincidence can be so grand...as I am reading this I hear the first singing of a robin out my door. What a glorious morning. Thank you for making it so with your words.

[icelandicblue]

I am happy my poem could be the backdrop for your delightful day. Enjoy!

[KAOlmsted]

Holy cats, this is just beautiful. I loved every word. Even that one extra "been" in the last line ;-)

[icelandicblue]

You have such a sharp eye. I have trouble sometimes proofing my own work. My brain fixes it when I read it. Thanks, and I am happy you enjoyed the poem.

[KAOlmsted]

Thanks ;-) I am constantly editing my own work, so it's hard to get out of edit mode when I read...Always my pleasure.

[The Analog Kid]

Very timely with this universal theme of renewal. I am ready to remove my snow tires...then it snowed a bit yesterday...guess I 'll have to wait a few weeks...

[icelandicblue]

So true, the snow has been eternal this year. I really should live in the tropics...someday I hope. Thanks for reading.

[The Analog Kid]

YW...we didn't get a ton of snow in PA, but the season seems endless.

[Annette Bromley]

Fantastic poem, very visual and I love the imagery here. It reads well. Being from Vermont, the North Country, I can very much relate to this poem. I very much enjoyed reading this.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you very much. I am a fellow New Englander and although I appreciate the initial beauty of winter by now he wearies my mood. Thank you for commenting and I am happy that you enjoyed this.

[Naomi Bloom]

I love the alliteration, giving a voice to the weather. I also liked the line "the gray threads of winter are re-spun into gold." Are you talking about snow and ice becoming flowers and grain?

Once again, a beautiful poem. Now I'm really looking forward to spring weather. :)

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much. It seems I have trouble writing about the beauty of winter, although there is much there. I too cannot wait for spring and we are getting more snow on Tuesday. Ugh. Thanks for reading.

[Naomi Bloom]

Oh well. Spring will have to wait a little longer. You're welcome. :)

[SHEEMA HUQ]

written by a true artist
you have successfully demonstrated the feeling and experience of winter
via your stunning use of language
I love the fact that he has a gender and a uniquely defined character
excellent work

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much. You are too kind.

[Sheila Kline]

Your description of winter takes my breath away - really very, very beautiful!! It is all nice, but the last verse particularly intrigues me as spring arrives and puts winter to sleep again!

[icelandicblue]

Hi Sheila,
Thank you so much. I am so happy that you like that last stanza because most of the poem flowed but I had some difficulty wrapping the poem up. I find it's easy to start a poem but not so easy to end it.

[Yellow Butterfly]

There is just something so wonderful about this write

Witnessing the transition of Winter to Spring has to be one of the most amazing things to see and for some hard to describe. Yet your words have left me with goose bumps, hairs standing up, butterflies doing somersaults in my tummy..for this is how I see it...I adore all the seasons but these two Winter & Spring I love more....

Such a sublime read...

[icelandicblue]

Hello,
Thank you so much and I am happy your inner butterfly enjoyed it!

[Geon Quuin]

Quite eloquent. Me likey.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for commenting.

[Jack...]

Very beautiful...this captures the essence of winter nicely.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, Jack.