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



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Date: 1/5/2019 8:35:00 AM
Wonderfully done!
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Date: 5/14/2018 3:30:00 PM
Excellent.
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Date: 10/24/2017 11:17:00 AM
This is gorgeous.
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Cona Adams
Date: 10/25/2017 9:59:00 AM
Thank you, Dale, for taking the time to visit and read. I will return the favor.
Date: 9/7/2016 3:42:00 PM
This is a beautiful poem Well done.
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Cona Adams
Date: 10/25/2017 9:58:00 AM
Thank you, Darlene. Your encouragement is much appreciated.
Date: 1/16/2016 9:01:00 PM
Cona, this is truly an impressive work of art! I always enjoy anthing you write but this is exquisite! #7
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Cona Adams
Date: 1/17/2016 3:19:00 AM
Thank you, Connie. A visit from you is always a treat. Blessings to you in 2016!
Date: 7/30/2015 8:37:00 AM
Beautifully written.
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Cona Adams
Date: 7/30/2015 11:22:00 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!
Date: 4/9/2015 3:09:00 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.
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/10/2015 6:15:00 AM
Thanks so much for your generous comment. All the best to you!
Date: 4/9/2015 10:33:00 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
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/10/2015 6:13:00 AM
Thank you, Ralph. I will certainly do that. Have a great weekend!
Date: 4/7/2015 7:30:00 PM
nice write, keep up the good work LB
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/8/2015 7:01:00 AM
Thank you, Louis, for taking the time to read and comment. Have a great day!
Date: 4/7/2015 12:08:00 PM
Thank you, Elizabeth. A Villanelle is fun to write, and seasonal poems make it easy.
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Date: 4/7/2015 12:04:00 PM
Such a beautiful poem. It is so nice to see a Villanelle. It lends itself excellently to your theme. Lovely!
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Date: 4/7/2015 10:51:00 AM
A job well done. Thanks for sharing.
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/7/2015 12:09:00 PM
Thanks so much for the visit, and your encouragement is appreciated.
Date: 4/7/2015 10:36:00 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
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/7/2015 12:10:00 PM
Your generous comments made my day, Gary. Thanks so much for visiting to read.
Date: 4/7/2015 10:13:00 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! :)
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/7/2015 12:12:00 PM
Thanks, Yanny, for your visit. Great of you to take the time to read and leave such an encouraging comment.
Date: 4/7/2015 9:57:00 AM
This is so breathtakingly beautiful.
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/7/2015 12:13:00 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.
Date: 4/7/2015 9:48:00 AM
WoW!Such wonderful imagery, love your poem. a 7 and a fav. Blessings Eve
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/7/2015 12:14:00 PM
Thank you much, Eve. So glad you enjoyed it, and appreciate the generous rating.
Date: 3/31/2015 9:37:00 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.
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Cona Adams
Date: 4/1/2015 7:44:00 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.
Date: 1/13/2015 4:40:00 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.
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Cona Adams
Date: 1/13/2015 8:41:00 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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