“The crown of literature is poetry.”
William Somerset Maugham
Monday, January 26, 2009
A Winter's Walk Ending With Poem
Numbing Occlusion
Winter’s frosty breath hangs on the portals, and clings to the windowsills, with bony fingers of inert ice. It settles itself on the stone walls surrounding my life, impeding my movements.
I do think winter is kind of claustrophobic. We become more restless, knowing there are walls to contain us. Maybe we become more watchful in this enforced awareness, too. Everything slows down.
The photos are lovely, in spite of their chill. :) And as always, your words ring true to me.
Hi Vesper, Yes, sometimes - like today for instance, that frosty breath of winter makes it difficult to venture out on foot, much less a car! I don't mind being snowbound, though - as long as it is only for a day or two. ;)
Yes, that is a half frozen waterfall. I am sure it is nearly all frozen now, with only a trickle of water moving under the ice. It is so pretty in every season. Thank you!!! *?*
Your photos have captured the frozen stillness beautifully. I especially like the first.
Since I was young I have made myself consciously enjoy the open space and fresh air of winter. Without trees blocking breezes and leaves sucking in the air, I imagine that each breath I take is from a faraway place. Perhaps that gulp of air that I swallowed was in Hawaii just yesterday, maybe it blew up from a hot dry desert. In that way, I feel less confined by winter's grip.
Aine - thanks. I am not much of a photographer - I just point and click. Nothing like your talented husband. :) Are you a photographer, as well?
I just love your comment. How poetic. What a wonderful way to enjoy the very air you breathe. I will always remember your imaginings and will take a breath myself, now and then, from some far away place. You are such a special person, Aine...thank you.
No, alas...I'm just a point and click gal myself. :)
Jason tries to explain the physics of optics and, though I aced college physics, I just don't want to deal with all those technicalities when taking photos. Maybe someday I'll have more interest. At least I know where to find a good teacher. :)
Ghost Dansing - many thanks for the visit and the link. Both were very nice.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Jason - I guess that is just the way it feels to me sometimes. Today we didn't get out at all, because of the snow and ice. I am sure it was no better for you all. Thanks!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Aine - LOL! I don't want to deal with all the technicalities either - And, yes, I am sure, when and if you ever do want to know about them - Jason will be your man. ;D
i hereby rescind every time i have ever complained because it's less than 50 degrees out.
the photos are beautiful - and the poem is perfect - like it was written with "bony fingers/of inert ice" - squeezed out before they froze up completely.
Hey BP - Thanks a bunch! Yeah it is pretty much frozen solid now. This picture was taken a while back - I just included it cause I couldn't get down to the falls,,,LOL! In other words, it is bogus. *?*
25 comments:
You really DO see the world as poetry. Do you even know how unique that is? Truly blessed, you are.
Those are beautiful lines. One does not have to see the pictures to visualize the nature in your poetry.
PS: the photos are beautiful too :)
I love that you were out there taking a winter walk. Lovely poem, lovely photos.
I've felt those bony fingers, too.
I do think winter is kind of claustrophobic. We become more restless, knowing there are walls to contain us. Maybe we become more watchful in this enforced awareness, too. Everything slows down.
The photos are lovely, in spite of their chill. :) And as always, your words ring true to me.
(word verification: "colde" ;))
Karen - I do. Thanks, my friend. :)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Lena - Glad you stopped in. Thanks for the warm remarks!! ;D
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Cat - Hi there. I took these pictures as I walked around in my yard. Glad you liked the poem. :)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Sarah - lol on the word verification.
I love being outside in winter, if the sun is shining, esp. The pictures were taken in my yard. Glad the poem prompted similar feelings. :D
It settles itself
on the stone walls
surrounding my life,
impeding my movements.
I feel that sometimes. K., this is a beautiful poem in words and photographs.
Is that a half-frozen waterfall? Beautiful!
Hi Vesper, Yes, sometimes - like today for instance, that frosty breath of winter makes it difficult to venture out on foot, much less a car! I don't mind being snowbound, though - as long as it is only for a day or two. ;)
Yes, that is a half frozen waterfall. I am sure it is nearly all frozen now, with only a trickle of water moving under the ice. It is so pretty in every season. Thank you!!! *?*
Your photos have captured the frozen stillness beautifully. I especially like the first.
Since I was young I have made myself consciously enjoy the open space and fresh air of winter. Without trees blocking breezes and leaves sucking in the air, I imagine that each breath I take is from a faraway place. Perhaps that gulp of air that I swallowed was in Hawaii just yesterday, maybe it blew up from a hot dry desert. In that way, I feel less confined by winter's grip.
Aine - thanks. I am not much of a photographer - I just point and click. Nothing like your talented husband. :) Are you a photographer, as well?
I just love your comment. How poetic. What a wonderful way to enjoy the very air you breathe. I will always remember your imaginings and will take a breath myself, now and then, from some far away place. You are such a special person, Aine...thank you.
love it, klg... i even note faces in the rock wall :D
LW - Thanks. oooh, cool - faces in the rock wall. Now I'll have to write a poem about that!! :D
Great poem, and great pictures... I'm jealous of the scenery you have so close at hand... very inspiring.
Hi, Bob - really good to see you. Yes, we were so lucky to have found this piece of land to build on years ago. It is a wonderful sanctuary.
I appreciate your comment on the poem. It means a lot to me.
that's a really nice winter poem.... winter hymnal.... and michael you would fall, and turn the white snow red as strawberries in the summertime......
Hangs.
I think that's the single most important word to this poem.
Each word feels like weight. Tired. Fatigue growing.
Perhaps a fire during the day could slip those fingers from the glass.
No, alas...I'm just a point and click gal myself. :)
Jason tries to explain the physics of optics and, though I aced college physics, I just don't want to deal with all those technicalities when taking photos. Maybe someday I'll have more interest. At least I know where to find a good teacher. :)
Ghost Dansing - many thanks for the visit and the link. Both were very nice.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Jason - I guess that is just the way it feels to me sometimes. Today we didn't get out at all, because of the snow and ice. I am sure it was no better for you all.
Thanks!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Aine - LOL! I don't want to deal with all the technicalities either - And, yes, I am sure, when and if you ever do want to know about them - Jason will be your man. ;D
The photos are great, K. And I can see the bony fingers on the window sill...
Nice write...
Hi George - glad you are feeling better. Thanks for coming by and leaving a nice comment.
i hereby rescind every time i have ever complained because it's less than 50 degrees out.
the photos are beautiful - and the poem is perfect - like it was written with "bony fingers/of inert ice" - squeezed out before they froze up completely.
Joaquin - lol! Yeah, I am sure Southern CA gets pretty chilly somedays.
Thanks for stopping by on such a cold day, bringing your warm comments with you! ;)
Mom, beautiful pictures! When I walked down to the waterfall a couple weeks ago, it was frozen solid!
Beautiful poem too!
Hey BP - Thanks a bunch! Yeah it is pretty much frozen solid now. This picture was taken a while back - I just included it cause I couldn't get down to the falls,,,LOL! In other words, it is bogus. *?*
haha! "Bogus" I've been saying that word a lot recently! And I obviously get it from you, because I really don't know anybody else who says it!!
LOL! Glad to see you are taking after your old Ma! Love you -
Post a Comment