The Other Side of Winter

(A Villanelle)

The winter’s dismal path is long and gray,
a never-ending march of cheerless dark
with skies whose colors bleach in dull array

where forest scene gives one a true display
and leafless limbs provide a raptors' park.
The winter’s dismal path is long and gray,

and through the open grove a new ballet
of life and death beneath the brittle bark
and skies whose colors bleach in dull array.

A wind unites with rain while leaves decay;
each limb begins to dance a graceful arc
in winter’s dismal path so long and gray

till snow appears and hides the hunter's prey.
New scenes occur of softer landscape mark,
tame skies whose colors bleach in dull array.

Resplendent white now blankets to allay
our thirst for beauty with a lustrous lark.
The winter's dismal path is long and gray,
with skies whose colors bleach in dull array.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Staton Avatar
January 5, 2019 at 8:35 AM
Wonderfully done!
Shepard Avatar
May 14, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Excellent.
Cozart Avatar
October 24, 2017 at 11:17 AM
This is gorgeous.
Adams Avatar
October 25, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Thank you, Dale, for taking the time to visit and read. I will return the favor.
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 7, 2016 at 3:42 PM
This is a beautiful poem Well done.
Adams Avatar
October 25, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Thank you, Darlene. Your encouragement is much appreciated.
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 16, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Cona, this is truly an impressive work of art! I always enjoy anthing you write but this is exquisite! #7
Adams Avatar
January 17, 2016 at 3:19 AM
Thank you, Connie. A visit from you is always a treat. Blessings to you in 2016!
Inman Avatar
July 30, 2015 at 8:37 AM
Beautifully written.
Adams Avatar
July 30, 2015 at 11:22 AM
Thanks so much, James, for taking the time to visit, read, and comment. Now, I will traipse on over and return the favor. All the best!
Drug Avatar
April 9, 2015 at 3:09 PM
Beautiful work. It is a villanelle in pentameter. The form is difficult by itself, but with the meter it becomes something for a true poetic artist. You have great talent. I enjoyed reading this.
Adams Avatar
April 10, 2015 at 6:15 AM
Thanks so much for your generous comment. All the best to you!
Sergi Avatar
April 9, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Hi Cona: A beautiful descriptive poem and imagery of winters change. My compliments. I wrote a similar poem called the art of Snow. Please read it when you have a chance
Adams Avatar
April 10, 2015 at 6:13 AM
Thank you, Ralph. I will certainly do that. Have a great weekend!
Brown Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 7:30 PM
nice write, keep up the good work LB
Adams Avatar
April 8, 2015 at 7:01 AM
Thank you, Louis, for taking the time to read and comment. Have a great day!
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Thank you, Elizabeth. A Villanelle is fun to write, and seasonal poems make it easy.
Sheaffer Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Such a beautiful poem. It is so nice to see a Villanelle. It lends itself excellently to your theme. Lovely!
Hart Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 10:51 AM
A job well done. Thanks for sharing.
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Thanks so much for the visit, and your encouragement is appreciated.
Bateman Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 10:36 AM
Cona, Very well-done indeed!! The Villanelle is a difficult format. It forces the poet to concentrate his or her thoughts. I know, I've written one of these in the past as well. I plan to do some more. Your thematic and imagery development throughout this write are quite excellent!! A most compelling write indeed giving us this view of "the other side of winter!! A "7" and a FAV from me for sure. Best Always, Gary
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Your generous comments made my day, Gary. Thanks so much for visiting to read.
Widjanarko Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 10:13 AM
This is a complex form of poem, yet it was beautifully crafted. Loved how it uttered and arranged in such a wonderful and rich imaginary verses, your poem is really inspiring me. Well, maybe i'll try this form for my next writing :D, have a good day! :)
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Thanks, Yanny, for your visit. Great of you to take the time to read and leave such an encouraging comment.
Das Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 9:57 AM
This is so breathtakingly beautiful.
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM
Thank you Nandita. I've met many wonderful poets today, and love it. Poetry Soup is a wonderful way to connect. All the best.
Roper Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 9:48 AM
WoW!Such wonderful imagery, love your poem. a 7 and a fav. Blessings Eve
Adams Avatar
April 7, 2015 at 12:14 PM
Thank you much, Eve. So glad you enjoyed it, and appreciate the generous rating.
Gibson Avatar
March 31, 2015 at 9:37 PM
I enjoyed this poem and several others I have read this evening, Cona; I love the villanelle form. Thank you for your visits to my writing and for your gracious comments. Faye is my middle name; my parents did not use my first name.
Adams Avatar
April 1, 2015 at 7:44 AM
Thank you so much, Faye. I switched to my middle name in Junior High School, because all the boys began to call me "Corny." But I do like my first name and have switched back in later life.
Nehls Avatar
January 13, 2015 at 4:40 AM
Hi, Cona. What a wonderful, descriptive, image filled work of art. The long gray path of winter can also be filled with God's beauty. This one was so easy to read with expert meter and rhyme. This is far beyond a 7 and is now one of my favorites.... Robert.
Adams Avatar
January 13, 2015 at 8:41 AM
Robert, you are too kind. But thanks for your generous comment. For the past three years I have been in an online poetry group, where we took turns giving assignments, and critiquing the results. Only five members kept it possible, but I learned a great deal. This was one of the assignments. Thank you for reading.
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