My Favorite Devonshire

Winter's Rose white frost streaks her hair smooth ice-sculpture skin of youth stroked by cracks wrinkles that have weathered life skin once firmly packed sags in the mirror a figure she doesn’t recognize but she laughs budding spring beauty summer rose that danced through seemingly timeless evenings restless rebellion came with fall withering, yearning but winter, sweet winter fills her heart with warm memories resignation, acceptance of a life well-lived a spirit that will never die winter’s rose smiles, prepares for eternal life *Entry for Gail's "Inspirational" poems contest by Carolyn Devonshire I can't believe the wonderful contest idea I have been missing out on since I took my brief break from Soup this past weekend. I came back to find many posts of Carolyn Devonshire's most amazing work. And so it was my goal tonight before logging off, to look through my list of favorites and see which one I would choose to showcase. Well, there were at least five of her poems that I just loved: "A Forgotten Box," the senryu set "Candlelight Passion," an adorable personification of flowers called "Flower Prom," the profound poem of imagination called "Unicorn," and last but not least, the one shown above here, "Winter's Rose." I decided on this one because earlier today in talking with Carolyn, she expressed to me that "Winter's Rose" happened to be one of her personal favorites. I was so pleased to discover that it was also one I had chosen to put into MY favorites list about a month ago! "Winter's Rose" is a poet's look into her own soul. And she uses metaphors of the seasons, something I personally enjoy doing in my own poetry. I love when Carolyn writes this way and I agree with her, this is one of her very best free verse poems ever! I hope Carolyn will continue with her restless spirit well into the deepest of winters. She is an awesome friend and poet! (Carolyn, may your memories be happy ones always. And know that you have many friends here rooting for you. Luv, Andrea )