On my best days I feel more gratitude and less worry. Often those are the days I’ve puttered around my yard, a good dog not far away. She’s sniffing for the coyotes who have taken up residence in the thick undergrowth at the yard’s borders. She and I and the coyotes are all wondering if we’ll be able to live together in harmony – or not. But that’s a story for another day. Today’s post features a poem and photo essay about the colors of winter in my yard.
Wintergreen
Winter’s grey makes wintergreen
Shine glossy, bossy, ever-queen
And brings delight as great as skies
That shine on summer’s wasteful, fertile dreams.
Winter’s brown sings songs of rest –
It promises nothing
But does suggest
That new things might come one day or the next
Despite everything.
Winter’s purple gently clings
To quiet things that are not green –
Darkly purple as the blood
That flows in veins unseen.
I welcome darkness, frigid nights
And Winter’s purples, greys and browns –
Its tender velveteen.
January 27, 2019 at 6:42 am
Delightful! A reminder of the cycle of life.
January 27, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Thank you so much, Deb! I’m always so happy to hear from you! Xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 7:06 am
Beautiful!! Keep more coming!!
January 27, 2019 at 5:29 pm
Dearest Farrell – your encouragement means the world to me!! Xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 8:08 am
Love this. Enjoy the season we’re in!
January 27, 2019 at 5:29 pm
I have come to love winter. I don’t love cold weather, but I love the quietness of the season. The early onset of evening. Lighting a candle at 5 pm. Thank you so much for your very kind message, Tracy – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 8:24 am
Beautiful, Jennifer! Thank you for the bright reminder!
January 27, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Hi Ann Marie! It makes me feel so good to hear from you! Thank you so much – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 8:26 am
I Love This! Thank you Jennifer.
January 27, 2019 at 5:41 pm
Dearest Barbara – I miss seeing you regularly at the Ballet! I am so happy to hear from you. So glad you liked this. Xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 8:27 am
I Love This! Thank you Jennifer
January 27, 2019 at 8:40 am
Thank you for a thoughtful pause. I will not gripe about the grey-brown, but rather think of it as velveteen.
January 27, 2019 at 5:44 pm
Velveteen is pretty great on its own, and when you add in the heartwrenching love and sorrow and hope of The Velveteen Rabbit…YES velveteen. Xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 9:19 am
Great “glass half full” take on winter in Nashville. I won’t complain again!
January 27, 2019 at 5:45 pm
You should complain all you need to. Winter is not for everyone!! But I love hearing from you, Gloria – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 9:43 am
I will save this beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing.
January 27, 2019 at 5:45 pm
That is such a compliment, Anne – thank you so much – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 10:03 am
So thoughtful Jennifer! Thank you!
January 27, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Thank you, dearest Carolyn!! I am so grateful for your loving friendship – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Beautiful. The warmth of winter amidst the ice shines through this poem and the pictures!!
January 27, 2019 at 4:08 pm
I confess that I don’t feel a lot of gratitude in my heart for our grey winters. But today the sun came out!! And I’m grateful for that – and for you. And Pepper. 🙂
January 27, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Laughing! I love how similar our sensibilities are – and how different. I am also so grateful for you and Mavis – xoxo
January 27, 2019 at 5:42 pm
Sharing a poetic soul’s labors is one of the most courageous acts I can think of. Bravo for the beautiful work — and for sharing it with your readers.
January 27, 2019 at 6:05 pm
I almost put this post in the “trash” file. Thank you, dearest Christina. Xoxo
January 28, 2019 at 6:39 am
Thank you, Jennifer, for reminding me to appreciate winter! Its always a tough season for me. What a beautiful reflection!