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Fiddleheads On the River Walls

I know it's there somewhere beyond the clouds,
beyond the snow which gently floats and falls
on arborvitae's shoulders like a shawl
and o're the face of summer with a shroud.
Above where prayerful birches rise unbowed;
and stand once more among the proud and tall,
no longer will the season be forestalled
once the gifts of nature are endowed.

Across the forest floor the winter's chased
by waves of green now stirring in the frost -
impatient youths who gasp first springtime breaths
and proudly flaunt the colors they replace,
while buried hints of Autumn are embossed
beneath the ice that feeds upon their death...

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Viv Wigley

Date: 4/24/2018 8:39:00 AM

You do this so well. That sestet is sperb, and the last two lines are crackers, well done.

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 3/14/2018 4:47:00 PM

This poem reminded me of where I used to live. I had ten acres loaded with fiddleheads in the spring. I had never heard of eating them until my neighbor from Chicago told me that some grocery stores there sell them as a delicacy. Of course, I had to try them so I sauted them in butter and garlic (it makes everything taste good) I ate them once, I can now say I have, and they were pretty good. I still prefer a homegrown green bean. Sorry, I'm rambling. Nice write. Thanks for the memories.

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/30/2018 11:01:00 AM

Thx so much Rhoda because no greater compliment can be given than the rush of memories.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/11/2018 8:01:00 AM

Creative work. I have never heard of anyone eating fern over here but I looked it up and found that they do eat it. I guess maybe there must be some people who grown them for their edibility. It must be very snowy in your area also for you to be able to have the understanding to write this one. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Sara

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/11/2018 8:25:00 AM

Thank you Sara, actually I'm in Florida for the winter but I'll be back to New England in April. Actually there is only a certain type of fern that's harvested while it's still curled. The other types are very bitter. They grow in wetland areas in the spring and those that know where to find patches of them protect their location lest they be all stolen. I saute' them in butter and garlic and shallots. Hope hubby recovery is going well.