The Winter Wars

Winter is a deadly companion to those of us
who stay behind. Spring is not guaranteed, only
a lonesome song, frozen on the lips of my
fellow crusaders.

The tip of the spear belongs to the "Ice Warrior"

Camouflaged under a dusting of snow, ink black
like the night or mind bending off sun glare,

always eager to send cars sailing and people
falling. I was one of the lucky ones...I fell
on ice and broke my arm.

I knew I would see Spring...first paying a 
painful

toll. Political insanity mostly fills the front
page in Winter, the truth of those lost forever
to its treachery only whispered in the "B"
section.

Those of us who survive for one more Spring
and Summer bare a different attitude than our
fellow snow birds.

You'll see us standing alone among forest
wildflowers...or sitting quietly on a dolomite
boulder overlooking Lake Superior.

Oblivious to all but our grateful senses,

humbled
by
our
fragile
existence.


Minnesota Winter 2017
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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

Ricci Avatar
April 22, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Good Morning James. You bet Winter Wars. This winter wouldn't quit. I hope however that the fall was your imagination and creativity and not for real as I fell last winter flat on the ice last April and then months later needed total hip replacement. For all of us who experience winter and all her white and ice you did excellent work describing and capturing her being and madness. Well done and expressed.
Goff Avatar
April 22, 2017 at 6:36 PM
Ouch! I know the decision making & recovery from hip replacement takes courage, Lisa! Bravo! (yes, I did break my arm this last January, 7 screws & a plate "bobs yer uncle!) all good now!
Babcock Avatar
April 1, 2017 at 4:35 PM
Wonderful poem and I know how you feel sitting out enjoying nature when it is warm enough. Saskatchewan winters are so long as with you we welcome the warmth of spring. love phyl
Goff Avatar
April 22, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Spring has arrived (1 day!) in Minnesota! barely! thanks Phyllis!
Vinson Avatar
March 24, 2017 at 3:32 PM
Hi James. This is excellent - even though gravity is often dire. A pleasure to read; the concept of Winterland. Forest wildflowers - it's an awesome time when they come out in spring, before the tree leaves starve the forest floor of light. I know "awesome" has been overused to a fault over the past decades, but what the hey....
Goff Avatar
March 26, 2017 at 7:38 AM
Thanks Doug! am hearing return of Redwinged Blackbird this am!
Pinet Avatar
March 1, 2017 at 11:30 AM
You paint a picture with words that bring your memories alive in the reader’s mind, and we too, for a fleeting moment, can appreciate your world. Emile.
Goff Avatar
March 2, 2017 at 7:06 PM
Kind words, thanks Emile!
Melugin Avatar
February 25, 2017 at 7:29 PM
James, this is an outstanding write. Originality drips from your pen as it scribes gems of poetic analogy to your retrospect reflections. You sir, are a wordsmith esquire! My best, chuck
Goff Avatar
February 26, 2017 at 12:08 PM
Thanks Chuck! one of my favorite ways to write is when a "half-thought" overcomes me! happens more during my walkabouts!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 22, 2017 at 11:40 PM
I see this is also autobiographical. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Goff Avatar
February 23, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Thanks Richard...i changed it to personification! I'm not always good at that! Walked outside first time since last fall! but 6" snow Friday! arm healing nicely! my therapist is sweetest ever!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 22, 2017 at 11:39 PM
Wow! You make me want to visit Lake Superior.
Cadet Avatar
February 15, 2017 at 1:55 PM
"...the truth of those lost forever to its treachery only whispered in the "B" section." Great write, Sir. Pleasure to read sans the broken arm. I'm sorry for that and hope you're healing. -- Wesley C.
Cadet Avatar
February 17, 2017 at 1:43 AM
7 screws and a plate ... Wow. Brave soul...warrior. W.
Goff Avatar
February 15, 2017 at 7:57 PM
Thanks SC...my arm was re-attached with 7 screws & a plate...healing superbly! am ok to Recumbent bike at local Y...didn't affect my boomerang throwing arm (lefty)
Callus Avatar
February 10, 2017 at 3:36 PM
Hi Jimbo! Pleased to see you back in action, but the wait was not in vain:) A beautiful seasonal offering I must say; we should definitely be grateful for all we receive, even though sometimes snags are met along the way! Regards // paul
Goff Avatar
February 11, 2017 at 8:03 AM
Thanks for stoppin" by Paul!
Onclaud Avatar
February 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM
jombo!... seasons can bring us to that space of introspection and allow us to be vulnerable.. you aced this one; excellent!..huggs
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace