When winter settles in with its cold and darkness we are reminded of our roots in times not too far in our past: The warmth of fire, the cup of hot chocolate, the closeness of nature, the nearness of a special person, and yes – the comfort of a cat!
WINTER HEARTH
CATHY ROSS
I draw closer to the fire,
outside the wind
calls my name, howling
down the chimney, rain
splatters on the roof,
but my season’s changed.
I remember freezing nights
when even fire was not enough
to melt the ice, storms
that took the cedar,
fractured the foundation,
but my season’s changed.
I lean into the blaze,
the flames snap and crack
like broken branches
of myself, this old wood
burns hot, flares defiantly,
my season’s changed.
Your face warms me
like a glowing ember,
your hands trail fire,
fingers of old trees
claw at the windows,
but our season’s changed.
Old logs shift and sigh,
then explode in showers
of splintered stars.
FANTASIZING
Ken Olson
blue skis
track down
through
sun-white
feathers
of snow
making
powder flashes
of sky in my
breathtaking
world
FIVE DEGREES AND LIGHT SNOW
Ted Kooser
Five degrees and light snow
An elaborate braiding of deer tracks
Close-to the house this morning early,
Within a few yards of our two dogs
Asleep on the porch. A dozen or more
Walking soundlessly east in the night,
A half-moon rising before them.
I like the long deft brushstroke
As each hoof swung into and out of the snow,
And the little splash kicked out ahead
As they stripped sweet bark from the darkness,
Afraid of everything but not afraid.
CAT
Marilyn Singer
I prefer
warm fur,
a perfect fire
to lie beside,
a cozy lap
where I can nap,
an empty chair
when she’s not there.
I want heat
on my feet
on my nose
on my hide.
No cat I remember
dislikes December
inside.
To view the previous NESTER post A WINTER GREETING I – click here
CREDITS:
A special thanks to poets Cathy Ross, Ken Olson, the Poetry Foundation, and Pan McMillan for the poems.
Five stars!