Winter Refuges

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Thu, 09 Nov 2023
  • 993 reads
11 comments
 

Tiny folded leaves encased
in tough scales, so safely placed,
protected from the burning frost
and windy forces’ blast
through the winter’s bitter cold
waiting there to grow, unfold
when the air and soil grow warm –
welcome new year spring time come.

And the bulbs are safe as well
in the soil alive and well
with all growth for now ‘on hold’
while the days are short and cold –
swollen storage-leaves in cosy house
hibernating like the tiny dormouse;
chemistry on ‘slow’ ’til switched to ‘fast’
with returning spring at last!

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A delightful word picture Rhiannon, thank you, although this year in my garden I still have quite a few flowers growing - no hard frost to finish them off yet

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

No, but the buds have been made ready! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

"...swollen storage-leaves in cosy house
hibernating like the tiny dormouse..."

Adriotly done with some lovely pics to boot, Rhiannon. That's an interesting analogy as well - winter refugees. Well, yes. Just lovely :)

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, I enjoyed that alanlogy coming to mind! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you for the cherries. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I'd not thought about buds and bulbs being "cosy" over winter, but you describe their sense of anticipation, peaceful and protected, so well! Brilliant photos, too!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. Well, maybe 'cosy' is a bit of an exaggeration, but they are out of the cold and wind, and hugged close! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you sum up perfectly how many plants stay snug waiting for the depature of winter, ready for the arrival of Spring.

Nicely done.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Jenny. Glad you're picjking up, but don't overdo it! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Turlough on

A lovely poem Rhiannon.

It always amazes me how nature dabbles with progress before the worst of the winter has even begun. 

Tiny folded leaves encased
in tough scales, so safely placed,

I think if I was a horse chestnut tree (the most obvious example, from my experience) I'd just wait until March.

Turlough

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, we have some of the abundant provision fn the refuges'' for our provisions for the winter! Rhiannon