Ice Cold

/ January 24, 2024

~

deep cold

artic weather

settles over the land

freezing ponds, pipes, and bones

resigned

~

schools close

people shelter

stoking fireplace and heater

a losing battle for home warmth

defeat

~

bundle

layers of clothes

slow the arctic windchill

slipping on icy roads and walks

severe

~

serene

beautiful views

fresh white pristine landscapes

homes, ponds, and streets covered in snow

pure joy

~

moments

frozen in white

simple tasks and delights

a return to present living

peaceful

~

deep cold

people shelter

slow the artic windchill

homes, ponds, and streets covered in snow

peaceful

~

There was so much beauty in this frozen landscape.

~

This is my entry for Colleen’s latest seasonal poetry challenge. My kigo phrase is deep cold and the form is a garland cinquain. It’s a series of six cinquains (2-4-6-8-2 syllables each) in which the last stanza is formed from lines from the preceding five, typically line one from stanza one, line two from stanza two, and so on. As with most of the country, we had about a week of severe cold temperatures, snow, and ice. Rarely does snow stay on the ground for so long. I surrendered to the cold, bundled well, and went walking almost daily. Then lots of cooking, reading, and movie-watching for the week.

May your heart be happy if not warm.

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106 thoughts on “Ice Cold”

  1. I so loved the contrasts of your poems Brad… We can indeed see the negative or the positive aspects of our current weather situations… Looking for those gems of silver in those frosty scenes is wonderful.. And your images are Stunning Brad…
    Keep warm on those icy walks xx ❤ ❤ ❤ xx

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  2. This is one of my favorite poems that you have written so far, Brad. I love the form you used and how you gradually illuminated/explored so many different facets of our human experience of very cold, wintry weather. And your photos bookend your poem perfectly. We just had a week of cold, freezing weather, but today snow has shifted to rain…which is forecast to last for at least 36 hours. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

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  5. I agree with willedare, that this is one of my favs too and I love the exploration of varied layers of experience about winter conditions on the human condition. It really demonstrates how perspective can paint so many stories relative to the person and circumstances. But on top of that, your way of describing each experience really took us to those emotions and understanding of each of them. Warm hugs!

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  9. Brrrrr!, So loved the scenes you evoked in your words Brad and your stunning photos. I love how you always look for the positive in nature. She really keeps us on our toes doesn’t she. Take care and stay warm out there. xx

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  34. Beautiful poem, Brad. I can feel the cold! And I love how you constructed it so the last line is “peaceful.” As long as we’re cozy inside, winter can be very much that way. I hope things have warmed up, and thanks for sharing your wonderful words.

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  36. Brad, these are exquisite! There is such a strong sense of peace and harmony running through the poems, that once we accept the inevitable and stop trying to continue as normal and fall in with the rhythm of life we finally find our true selves. Wonderful how the cold weather inspired you, Brad.

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