The Weight of Snow

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 10 Apr 2014
  • 803 reads
6 comments
 
This house is but a wintriness of rooms.
Outside – hear the wind...the rise and the fall 
of the lapwing; white lace curtains – flaring 
hankering, to follow its call.
 
Beside me he sleeps – soundlessly; his skin
numb to my touch – the floor – cold beneath my feet
accepts my footfall – like a frozen field
accepts a foraging fox...
 
the boards – rough sawn from pine
creak as I tread...regretting they no more bend
and billow as one...as a shawl on the hill -
once they clothed.
 
On the hob – a kettle’s lament to the absence
of the willow-warbler’s song.  I catch my breath
but he, upstairs, still slumbers on
in our bed.
 
Beyond the lawn – a willow...branches 
heavy with the weight of snow – hangs her head.
Dream on, fair willow, for your leaves, and your shadow
on purple pond. 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate PG
Poem
Philosophy
Nature
Love

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

An unusual poem, Tina, with many interesting descriptions and metaphors as usual. Generating a feeling of real winter cold, maybe loneliness? and yet, beauty. Did the kettle's whistle remind you of a willow-warbler's song. I was asking my husband today to describe its song, as he said there seemed to be one in the conservation area (belonging to the local school) behind our garden. He said he didn't really know how to describe it except that it was a warbling, and maybe descending in pitch? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Rhiannon. I think you husband described it just perfectly.  Many thanks for your thoughts.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

This is very atmospheric, Tina. I feel like I was there. No, I felt like it was me.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Bee.  Pleased you thought so.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Some great metaphors in this poem Tina.  Loved the lines;  The floor - beneath my feet accepts my foot fall - like a frozen field accepts a foraging fox...

What a wonderful interpretation.  Love the idea of bringing nature into the house.

Thanks for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So pleased you liked, Jenny, and many thanks for telling me.smiley

Tina