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Winter Slumber

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(“Winter Slumber,” Image courtesy of icanvas.com)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ when the geese fly south and the sky is gray close your eyes, lift up your eyes, listen with careful ears. feel winter’s slumber coming on hear it in the crackling, silent trees note the crisping wind sharply snapping at their boughs. feel it on the windowpanes chilling glass on fingertips note the biting in the air heated breath on numbing lips. see it in the early eaves in the glowing sunset where silhouettes of the naked trees rattle in the biting air. watch the sparrow and the wren; they know it is time once more to abandon carefully made nests as they’ve done each and every years. the squirrels, too, have disappeared, stashing their food, preparing for the winter season; their heartbeat slows and body temp plummets cold winter days spent hibernating snug in their nests. humans, too, nestle inside, inactive we become during winter's slumber abandoning our patios and gardens long, dreary days are spent snacking, our waistlines expanding.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 1/27/2024 1:00:00 PM
The images you used to build the scenario in your poem make me think of the changing seasons, dear Sara. The passage about birds flying south heralds the arrival of winter, and the cloudy sky is a clue of the upcoming chill and solitude... This poetic and visually stunning homage to the changing seasons perfectly captures the spirit of winter's arrival.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:31:00 PM
thank you, Sotto, for your in-depth and mindful reading and commenting. You're right, the poem is a homage to the changing seasons. Sometimes I forget how miraculous the seasons are, despite my dislike of winter :-) Have a pleasant weekend, your poetess friend in Texas, Sara
Date: 1/27/2024 12:18:00 PM
Your poem sets the scene with imagery that evokes a sense of seasonal change and transition. The mention of geese migrating southward signals the onset of winter, while the gray sky hints at the impending cold and quiet... Its a beautifully crafted ode to the changing seasons, capturing the essence of winter's arrival with lyrical language and vivid imagery.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:29:00 PM
awww, thank you, Silent One, for your complimentary words. I guess the poem was an ode of sorts. Thanks, too, for the in-depth read...enjoy your weekend, Sara
Date: 1/27/2024 6:01:00 AM
Your poem brought to fore the images of winter-- lovely descriptions of retreat from outdoors. Yes we nestle inside and animals instinctively know-- to escaping to better realms.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:28:00 PM
thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts, Vijay. I agree...we all want to nestle and sleep, escaping temporarily. have a great evening, Sara
Date: 1/27/2024 12:29:00 AM
A lovely picture and a beautiful poem. Enjoyed reading this. Well written.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:27:00 PM
aww, thank you for your kind words, Jeanette. Grateful for your visit...enjoy your evening, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 10:16:00 PM
"silhouettes of the naked trees rattle in the biting air" - Highly poetic, indeed!
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:26:00 PM
thank you, Chris. Appreciate your visit and your comments, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 8:15:00 PM
Both poem and photograph are enchanting.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:26:00 PM
thank you, Hilda!
Date: 1/26/2024 7:13:00 PM
Everything seems to slumber in winter, but spring awakens all, Very nicely penned Sara
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:26:00 PM
well said, Joseph...I slumber more in the winter...naps are perfect. Thanks for stopping by, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 6:42:00 PM
Love 3rd verse especially! An eerie description! Hugs ~ Kim
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:25:00 PM
thanks, Kim, for your visit. As I wrote that verse, I imagined my fingers sticking to the cold window pane...not a pleasant thought, actually. hugs, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 6:29:00 PM
a very warm poem, so close to the nature, loved your thoughts sara have a sweet week end
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:24:00 PM
thank you, Yann, for your mindful words. Am having a sweet weekend...hope you're enjoying your, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 6:28:00 PM
lol yes those snacks become more tempting when the weather is cold, and we huddle inside, I eat buttery rice cakes, popcorn flavored, low in fat, but it gets rid of my salt craving lol eager for spring like you dear friend, hang in there, :)
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:24:00 PM
ah, we must be kindred spirits of sorts. I know very few folks who like rice cakes. I prefer the chocolate ones, of course, because I have a deep love for chocolate. Thanks for stopping by, Rose. Have a great evening, Sara
Date: 1/26/2024 5:44:00 PM
Your words flow smoothly and with great imagery. Like the bear, I do hibernate for the winter. 40 degrees is as cold as I care too frolic in.
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Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 1/27/2024 4:22:00 PM
thank you, Jerry for your kind words. I tend to hibernate too. I don't thaw out completely until the temperature is above 50 degrees. That's why I live in Texas...but still, it's mighty cold right now. have a pleasant evening, Sara

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