Notes About The Poem

"This begging for Spring is a brittle flower
We are fixed to the chilling earth by a terrible clear purpose
While the Sky's judgment remains a perfect, frozen crystal."

- Poet

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Coordinates for Cold

God, when the mother's cry
arrives—do You hear
the shape before the sound?
The phonemes of her grief,
or merely what they stir?

          You hear
the way December hears a leaf:
as afterthought.

          You frost
what begs for spring.

We are Your coordinates for cold.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Jones Avatar
December 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He sits high and looks low and I believe he listens especially to mother’s cries. Engaging poem not sure I understood it as I am quite simple and your poetic skill is advanced. Thanks for sharing and helping me grow.
Kerr Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Daniel, You have composed a profound work that is chillingly nuanced and extraordinarily challenging. The surgical precision of your poetic devices and their imaginative integration compel admiration. Heartfelt thanks for your complementary review of A Complete Write Off Howard
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Hello Howard, I’m grateful for your kind words and for the precision and insight you always bring to your feedback. It’s encouraging to know. Autumn Blessings, Howard, Daniel
George Avatar
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 AM
We long for something. But God knows better what is needed. When a mother cries, it never goes unheeded. The cry falls first in His ears. (Like a fool I am trying to decipher something that's too profound for me.)
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Dear Valsa, your reflections are always so tender and thoughtful. I appreciate the way you bring empathy into your reading, it enriches the dialogue around the poem. Autumn Blessings, Dear Valsa, Daniel
Rodrigues Avatar
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM
God, when the mother’s cry arrives…a mother without a child, I perceive. A punch to the gut…God on the tip of our tongue…things that should not be, for now are…
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Dear Kim, thank you for your heartfelt response. I value how you always bring such honesty and depth to your readings, it makes the exchange feel so genuine. Autumn Blessings, Dear Kim, Daniel
Buhagiar Avatar
December 8, 2025 at 2:48 AM
How can one not start the heaters going, after reading your poem? You have the knack of evoking emotions.
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Hello Victor, your comment made me smile, you always capture the emotional temperature of a poem so well. I’m glad this one stirred something in you. Autumn Blessings, Victor, Daniel
Anaya Avatar
December 6, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Daniel, your quote such depth & metaphor I don't seem to possess the mental faculty to decipher its meaning. The snow's raw beauty, for some shall enjoy & others will suffer in its raw indifference. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu " “Choose only one master—nature.” –Rembrandt. Brilliant all of you! Good Tidings to you~
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Dear Anaya, I’m touched by your thoughtful reflections. You always bring such depth and wisdom to the conversation, and I treasure the way you connect poetry to nature and spirit. Autumn Blessings, Dear Anaya, Daniel
Dietrich Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This leaves me cold. Just kidding. But wow you really know how to express the cruel nature of winter
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Dear Andrea, your playful note made me smile. I appreciate how you balance humor with genuine encouragement. It’s always a joy to hear your perspective. Autumn Blessings, Dear Andrea, Daniel
Hind Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 9:21 PM
This is so intimate, Daniel. I read it more than a few times. Beautiful. It's so beautiful.
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Dear Paige, thank you for taking the time to read and reflect. I love how you always bring such sincerity to your comments, it makes sharing poetry feel like a true conversation. Autumn Blessings, Dear Paige, Daniel
Winter Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Dearest Daniel, your poem is absolutely moving, posing a question to God about the nature of a mother's cry is incredibly powerful, immediately drawing the reader into a meditation on empathy and divine attention. You write so brilliantly, I'm always in awe of your writing. I hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for always being so supportive. I'm truly grateful. With love and respect always, Anne
Rodgers Avatar
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Dearest Anne, I’m so grateful for your heartfelt words. You always bring such warmth and insight to your readings, and it means a lot to me that this poem spoke to you. Autumn Blessings, Dear Anne, Daniel
Wolf Avatar
December 4, 2025 at 8:46 PM
''the way December hears a leaf" lingers with me... btw, my cold coordinates are basically unprintable. Well, not anymore. I've tamped my reactions down some the last decade or so. Even enjoy the new-fallen snow sometimes. Kudos, Gershon.
Rodgers Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Hello Gershon, I always love a good snow, and many of my friends do not like winter, but it does have its blessings. Thanks for reading my poem on suffering and when it seems God is not listening. Autumn Blessings, Gershon, Daniel
Goldsmith Avatar
December 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Your "Coordinates for Cold" is a lovely, quote/write and picture. I enjoy reading your shorter/powerful write. Yes, God does hear.... Have a Lovely/Blessed Day writing away......................
Rodgers Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Dear Paula, Yes, our Lord and Savior always hears. Sometimes suffering is so overwhelming that we may wonder where He is in the midst. But I always realize that nothing goes unnoticed, perhaps a teaching tool. Autumn Blessings, Dear Paula, Daniel
Daniels Avatar
December 4, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Yes, Yes ! Bring on the Frost & the Fire, Beloved God - make us feel your Power through our marrow so that we emulate its knowingness that we are YoU. Keep warm, dear Poet. Just remembered I still have to refresh my memory of The Carpenters. Sending some Southern Sun.,Ghairo
Rodgers Avatar
December 5, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Dear Ghairo, I am thankful for your note. I know our God is always looking after us, and I also know he allows pain and suffering as much as a teaching tool and sometimes there is not answer. Autumn Blessings, Dear Ghairo, Daniel
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