Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Winter

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus

SOURCE

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structureof the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.” — Andrew Wyeth

         Midweek Motif ~ Winter

Shakespeare says, “Blow, blow, thou winter wind / Thou art not so unkind / As man's ingratitude;”.

What about you? What does the season weave in your head?

In the place where I live winter’s brief entry is most welcome. That nip in the air, its misty breath, the lazy sun, arrival of migratory birds, fragrance of new harvest etc. etc. bring about a strange joy. But this is not so with the cold countries.

How do you look at Winter?

Winter Garden

by Matsuo Basho

Winter garden,
the moon thinned to a thread,
insects singing.

A Winter Bluejay

by Sara Teasdale

Crisply the bright snow whispered, 
Crunching beneath our feet; 
Behind us as we walked along the parkway, 
Our shadows danced, 
Fantastic shapes in vivid blue. 
Across the lake the skaters 
Flew to and fro, 
With sharp turns weaving 
A frail invisible net. 
In ecstacy the earth 
Drank the silver sunlight; 
In ecstacy the skaters 
Drank the wine of speed; 
In ecstacy we laughed 
Drinking the wine of love. 

Had not the music of our joy
Sounded its highest note?
But no,
For suddenly, with lifted eyes you said,
"Oh look!"
There, on the black bough of a snow flecked maple,
Fearless and gay as our love,
A bluejay cocked his crest!
Oh who can tell the range of joy
Or set the bounds of beauty? 

The Farm Woman’s Winter

by Thomas Hardy

I

If seasons all were summers, 
And leaves would never fall, 
And hopping casement-comers 
Were foodless not at all, 
And fragile folk might be here 
That white winds bid depart; 
Then one I used to see here 
Would warm my wasted heart!

II

One frail, who, bravely tilling 
Long hours in gripping gusts, 
Was mastered by their chilling, 

And now his ploughshare rusts.
So savage winter catches
The breath of limber things,
And what I love he snatches,
And what I love not, brings. 

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(Next week Susan’s Midweek Motif will be ~ Money (for World Savings/Thrift Day).)