Winter Let's Us Hold Our Breath

Winter let's us hold our breath,
and pause just inside the door,
we spend more time at window frame
watching the snowflakes fall.

The slumber of trees and cars
softens the noise on our ears,
we slow, inhale, exhale, and wonder
how every snowflake is formed.

The painted days of softened hues
blues on grays and faded yellows
are an artist's muse and a friendly cue
to wait for the coming of spring.

Every hurried step may lead to a fall,
every hurried kiss may lead to goodbye
every hurried minute forfeits the surprise
of crow squawking or coyote sniffing

at the base of your door and the base
of mind where questions need research
and answers are hard to find
and death and forever, wait like hunger
to leads us elsewhere, lead us forever
into the embrace of new, will we survive?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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

Krutsinger Avatar
February 18, 2019 at 6:13 AM
Sheri, I am thinking after reading this poem - especially this part that you are an artist poet, and have been busy painting lately. Am I correct? "The painted days of softened hues blues on grays and faded yellows are an artist's muse and a friendly cue to wait for the coming of spring."
Rebstock Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 2:58 PM
every hurried minute forfeits the surprise of crow squawking or coyote sniffing This is so true. Beautiful poem
Gupta Avatar
February 27, 2016 at 8:19 AM
Surreal...invites the reader to read and read and read again in the never-failing company of the personality of nature.
Sankey- Lewis Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Felt a bit nostalgic as i read what winter's capable of doing to us, and it's really refreshing after summer. wonderfully written.
Sergi Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 4:08 PM
Hi Sheri, nice to know you: I love that way you articulate each approach to the seasons. My compliments!
Breidenthal Avatar
September 3, 2012 at 8:22 AM
WOW! I loved te ending with a question at the end. So gratisfying, but yet sooo full of imagery and I truly treasure this poem! This is a aster piece right here. XD "at the base of your door and the base of mind where questions need research" I love that part of your poem (: Bye!
Dietrich Avatar
November 29, 2010 at 9:36 PM
JUst revisting this one. My favorite of your last several poems. Thanks for commenting to so many of mine. I wish I could stay longer and see more of yours. But I spend way too much time here. I gotta get myself off here now. Luv, Andrea
Dietrich Avatar
November 26, 2010 at 8:31 PM
wow, shen, I really like this one, and those assumptions you made in stanza four. REAlly good! LUv, Andrea
Johnson Avatar
November 26, 2010 at 7:02 PM
A beautiful poem with much to ponder. Welcome to this forum. Thank you for stopping to read and comment on my offering. Love, Joyce
Neels Avatar
November 12, 2010 at 8:54 PM
A beautiful write with a piece of mystery to it. Hope your weekend will be a good one ;) Wilma
Culverhouse Avatar
November 12, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Hope you have a good weekend and make that trip to charleston.
Kendrick Avatar
November 12, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Enjoyed the reading of your work..I am glad that I chose this one to read this eve..I could feel the slowing of life to the soft drifting of the snowflakes..I was honored that you stopped by my work, read and commented...Sara
Austin Avatar
November 12, 2010 at 2:33 PM
I like your fourth stanza. There is content and mystery there and with a surreal touch. Love, dave
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