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.
Delightful! A reminder of the cycle of life.
Thank you so much, Deb! I’m always so happy to hear from you! Xoxo
Beautiful!! Keep more coming!!
Dearest Farrell – your encouragement means the world to me!! Xoxo
Love this. Enjoy the season we’re in!
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
Beautiful, Jennifer! Thank you for the bright reminder!
Hi Ann Marie! It makes me feel so good to hear from you! Thank you so much – xoxo
I Love This! Thank you Jennifer.
Dearest Barbara – I miss seeing you regularly at the Ballet! I am so happy to hear from you. So glad you liked this. Xoxo
I Love This! Thank you Jennifer
Thank you for a thoughtful pause. I will not gripe about the grey-brown, but rather think of it as velveteen.
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
Great “glass half full” take on winter in Nashville. I won’t complain again!
You should complain all you need to. Winter is not for everyone!! But I love hearing from you, Gloria – xoxo
I will save this beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing.
That is such a compliment, Anne – thank you so much – xoxo
So thoughtful Jennifer! Thank you!
Thank you, dearest Carolyn!! I am so grateful for your loving friendship – xoxo
Beautiful. The warmth of winter amidst the ice shines through this poem and the pictures!!
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. 🙂
Laughing! I love how similar our sensibilities are – and how different. I am also so grateful for you and Mavis – xoxo
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.
I almost put this post in the “trash” file. Thank you, dearest Christina. Xoxo
Thank you, Jennifer, for reminding me to appreciate winter! Its always a tough season for me. What a beautiful reflection!