Michelle Faulkner Poet Terzanelle

April Snow

When snow came in April of her last year
Falling like lovely disappearing gifts
Glimpsing, faintly, an alabaster deer

She kept watch as shadows landed in drifts
Scattering ice across tender pink stems
Falling like lovely disappearing gifts

And gave thanks to the fitful gods for them
Knowing she would not see that November
Scattering ice across tender pink stems

He held away his grief's gray ember
As silence, travelled long without her songs
Knowing she would not see that November

Her grave faces the west, where she belongs
Now he views white skies with nostalgic eyes
As silence, travelled long without her songs

She called it a prophecy in disguise
When snow came in April of her last year
Now he views white skies with nostalgic eyes
Glimpsing, faintly, an alabaster deer

4/15/22

Original Terzanelle Contest
Sponsor: L Milton Hankins
Placed 3rd

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Ann Foster June 28, 2022 at 9:41 AM traveling long with her song.. wow... painful, lovely, empty, full... all at the same time. Excellent work. Ann

Regina Mcintosh May 11, 2022 at 9:24 AM Beautiful. Congrats and God bless you. Love, Gina

John Watt May 5, 2022 at 3:04 PM Michelle, this is so beautiful in a melancholy vein with a prescient unexpected snow mirroring the woman's premature demise. "Falling like lovely disappearing gifts" is so achingly powerful. The alabaster deer is a hauntingly lovely metaphor for the transient nature of life. I agree with Connie, you make this form look easy. Congrats for your podium win ~ John Michelle Faulkner May 5, 2022 at 4:46 PM We actually had an unexpected snowfall a few weeks ago, and that led me to write this, I was thinking an alabaster deer was like a mirage, or a ghost. The repeating lines can be a bit tricky, grammar wise, to make it all work, but it is quite satisfying when it all comes together!

Anton Bradinger May 5, 2022 at 11:19 AM Thank you very much for your touching and beautiful poem. Congratulations on your podium placement! Michelle Faulkner May 5, 2022 at 4:43 PM I appreciate your kind words, Anton~

Kim Rodrigues May 4, 2022 at 2:20 PM So beautiful… Glimpsing, faintly, an alabaster deer! Congratulations on your podium win! Michelle Faulkner May 5, 2022 at 4:42 PM Thank you very much, Kim

L Milton Hankins May 4, 2022 at 9:47 AM Michelle, I loved your poem. It spoke to my heart, and I congratulate you on your podium win in my terzanelle contest. Michelle Faulkner May 4, 2022 at 12:13 PM I am touched and flattered, thank you very much for the placement, Milt

Connie Marcum Wong April 29, 2022 at 9:57 PM This is really excellent Michelle. A beautiful sadness expressed so well by imagery of falling snow and colorless white skies with the knowing death lingers near. Ending in resolve of last precious memories. This form is a challenge because of the repetitive lines but you made it look easy. Bravo! Blessings xxoo

Harry Horsman April 26, 2022 at 8:24 PM Amazing poetry, Michelle, the poem complements the form so well.

Gershon Wolf April 17, 2022 at 8:07 PM This melts my heart, Michelle. Stunningly beautiful poesy... And gives me a perspective on the inch of snow predicted overnight in Chicago as well. Thanks, Gershon

Susan Lawrence April 17, 2022 at 8:38 AM Michelle, Beautiful and melancholy depicting absence and memories. The unexpected snow in April bringing understanding … foreshadowing her departure. So well described. Blessings, Susan :)

Jennifer Proxenos April 17, 2022 at 3:12 AM Seasons are changing worldwide due to climatic change, but I feel thankful that nothing too extreme has happened so far in this part of South Africa (Johannesburg) but in KZN by the coast floods claimed hundreds of lives and they are still counting. Your gentle words give your poem a feeling of serenity - well penned my friend, hugs and blessings, Jennifer.. H

Ann Peck April 16, 2022 at 8:53 AM Oh, so very sad and timely. I think I finally know what grabs my heart each time I read your poems: you say what you want to say beautifully and concisely--no going on and on with you. And that is lovely :) Michelle Faulkner April 16, 2022 at 10:30 AM I have learned so much from PS about how to refine my writing to make it more concise, thank you for the wonderful compliment, Ann~

Juliet Ligon April 16, 2022 at 7:14 AM I love your line "falling like lovely disappearing gifts." This April has been unusually cold and we even had snow flakes the other day. The year my dad passed in April it also snowed. I wonder if you've had a similar experience. Michelle Faulkner April 16, 2022 at 10:29 AM Yes, we have measurable snow just a few days ago, it was the first time in over 80 years that there was that much snow in April where I am (Portland OR) so that inspired this poem~

Mystic Rose Rose April 15, 2022 at 6:27 PM April snow can be so lovely, a well done terzanelle dear, gl in the contest Michelle Faulkner April 16, 2022 at 10:27 AM Yes the blending of winter and spring is indeed quite lovely, thank you~

Rico Leffanta April 15, 2022 at 11:25 AM Never enough time to enjoy beauty . . . .aloha! Michelle Faulkner April 16, 2022 at 10:26 AM Very true, thank you, Rico

Anil Deo April 15, 2022 at 10:47 AM very well crafted, delicate and powerful all at the same time. I sometimes think, sadly, I will not enjoy Nature's splendor and color swhen I die. shalom shalom/Peace and Healing for our worlds Michelle Faulkner April 16, 2022 at 10:26 AM I too love the splendor of nature, peace and healing to you as well