Winter's Fantasies

Winter’s Fantasies

Winter walks the mountain hills at nightfall
Breathlessly awaiting evening’s first flakes of snow, 
An alpine carnival that rowdy clouds threatened to toss upon their faces;
When, at last, the brumaled storm releases a snowy masquerade
Sweet serenity fills dusky eyes with wistful fantasies of twirling snowflakes,
Visions of barren aspen arms embracing shivering jewels of glittering glitz,
A carnival of crystalline jubilee in wind whipped flakes.

Winter smiles as the evening sky slowly turns her dark side inside out
From black to white to turquoise and to blue
The moon slow pulls herself above these mountain hills in festival
To ride a winter sky watching over midnight’s silver shimmering earth
Alive with twinkling moonbeam stars, bright refractions of sisters in the sky, 
When the mountains glimmer cold as midnight – blue as stars –
Wearing new ermine alpine furs -cloaks of argent sparkle.

1-12-22
Contest: Winter Wonders within Nature
Sponsor: M.L. Kiser
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Hankins Avatar
July 16, 2022 at 1:22 PM
Just finished reading Winter's Fantasies again, Sam. It's the middle of a hot July summer, so I loved the "crystalline jubilee of wind whipped flakes." Now, I do, but most of the time I despise winter! I love this poem!
Kauffman Avatar
July 18, 2022 at 10:04 AM
I am so honored Milt! Thank you! Walking in the mountains on that winter night was a magical experience that I so hoped I could translate into words. Again, I am just delighted that you found delight in this poem. So especially in the middle of a HOT summer's day! So grateful for your affirming feedback. Many thanks! Hope you are able to stay comfortably cool in the heat of the summer.
Hankins Avatar
May 15, 2022 at 1:30 PM
I just re-read Winter's Fantasies again this evening, Sam. Still as enamored with it as with the first reading. It has a calming effect on me, even though the imagery is striking and startling not being a lover of winter!
Kauffman Avatar
May 16, 2022 at 9:38 AM
What lovely words of compliment Milt! A poet can receive no greater honor than to have their poem re-read and enjoyed a second time around - especially by a fellow poet! Thank you for that blessing! Every detail of that winter walk always comes back in vivid detail for me through this poem. Nothing makes me happier than to know you enjoyed it a second time. Hope you are well. Blessings!
John Avatar
February 7, 2022 at 1:16 AM
Just read this again after my first comment below. Wow! So enjoy it.
Kauffman Avatar
February 7, 2022 at 10:22 AM
Andrew, thank you! Knowing that this poem brought you enjoyment a second time really is quite a compliment. So grateful for your reading. So happy you enjoyed it again. All the best!
Radice Avatar
February 6, 2022 at 2:18 AM
I could almost feel winter herself breathing Sam. You led this reader in beautifully with your opening lines (love the personification throughout) and then your words brought the imagery to life all around me. Great poetic skill on show. Cheers - Gary
Kauffman Avatar
February 7, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Hi Gary! Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this poem - feel so honored. Knowing that you could feel the magic of this winter walk really lifts my spirits and inspires me. Even after all of this time, I can feel the sensations of that walk. Knowing that I was able to put those feelings into words for you just makes all of the effort worth it! Hope you are staying warm and cozy as winter marches on. Cheers!
Staton Avatar
January 29, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Wonderful imagery!
Kauffman Avatar
January 30, 2022 at 11:03 AM
Thank you so much Valerie. That winter walk was just chock full of stunning and oh so many memorable images. I think they wrote this poem. I just had the pen! All the best.
Kaur Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 4:51 PM
I have returned to Poetry Soup after a long time in the hope that some unearthly creation would inspire my Muse in slumber! And I am not disappointed...You gave me "visions of barren arms embracing shivering jewels of glittering glitz"...your writing perfectly evokes the meditative charm of the winter. I am so filled with admiration for your creativity!
Kauffman Avatar
January 27, 2022 at 9:54 AM
Harpreet welcome back to the soup! Thank you for your visit and for your amazing message. I am honored indeed! There is no greater compliment to a writer than to know something one has written has inspired the soul and pen of another writer. Thank you for that honor. Looking forward to reading more of your pennings. All the best.
John Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 1:19 AM
Congratulations from me, too!
Kauffman Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 11:12 AM
Andrew, thank you! So glad you enjoyed reading this poem. With all of the wonderful entries, it is an honor to have this placement! All the best.
Roper Avatar
January 23, 2022 at 8:21 PM
Congratulations on your win, Sam. Hugs and blessings for a better year in your life
Kauffman Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 11:08 AM
Eve, many thanks and much gratitude coming your way. So grateful for your note of congratulations and blessings for the new year! Sending you a hug and blessings for wonderful possibilities in the new year!
Alex Avatar
January 23, 2022 at 6:59 PM
"Alive with twinkling moonbeam stars, bright refractions of sisters in the sky" - Beautiful. Great poem. Congratulations!
Kauffman Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 11:06 AM
Greetings Chris! Thank you for your visit and note of congratulations. Watching the snow twinkle in the moonlight was so like watching the stars twinkle in the clearing sky. They really did seem related like sisters! So grateful for your lovely message. Sending you bunches of twinkling blessings!
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 23, 2022 at 6:03 PM
Pure winter enchantment Sam. This is a real beauty. Congratulations on your win my friend. Blessings xxoo
Kauffman Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 11:03 AM
Connie, thank you!!! I am so glad these words brought beauty into your heart! This walk in the enchantment of a snowy night was a spellbinding experience - one I'm so glad I was able to put into words and share with all of you. Always wonderful to have friends walk with me! Sending you blessings, continued prayers and a hug dear friend!
Watt Avatar
January 18, 2022 at 11:44 AM
"Visions of barren aspen arms embracing shivering jewels of glittering glitz" ... magnificent! Love the celebration you imply with the words carnival, festival, and breathlessly. A gentle snowfall is such a serene display of nature covering the land with beauty and purity. Love all your colors and your wonderful depiction of the sky and the mountains in winter.
Kauffman Avatar
January 26, 2022 at 10:58 AM
Hi John! Many thanks and much gratitude overflowing from my thankful heart for your beautiful message filled with joy like a winter carnival. I so agree - "a gentle winter snowfall" is serenity and pure, unsullied, beauty turning the world into a wonderland. Thank you dear friend! Thirty-three days to spring training - but, who's counting?!!
Kiser Avatar
January 17, 2022 at 5:26 PM
Dynamic imagery made this a fantastic read. Love, "A carnival of crystalline jubilee in wind whipped flakes." Beautiful.
Kauffman Avatar
January 19, 2022 at 10:41 AM
Thank you so much ML! Your wonderful message is such an encouragement! So appreciate your visit. This poem was inspired by watching a snowstorm approach and a subsequent walk in the enchantment left by the storm. All the best. Blessings!
Ray Choudhury Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 7:59 AM
You have portrayed such a mysterious picture of winter walking at mountain hills! Your images are stunning, Dear Poet - "Sweet serenity fills dusky eyes with wistful fantasies of twirling snowflakes," - what a gorgeous picture! Really enjoyed, Sam. Love and blessings~ Mala
Kauffman Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 9:57 AM
Dearest Mala, many thanks and much gratitude coming your way. I am so grateful for your note and your heartfelt response to this poem. That you enjoyed this winter walk means so much to me. That night everywhere I looked there was another moment of enchanting beauty. And, I loved your entry to the contest - so visual - along with the wonderful contrasts. Hope you are well, staying warm and healthy dear friend. Sending love and blessings of joy for each day.
George Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 5:45 PM
"Visions of barren aspen arms embracing shivering jewels of glittering glitz, A carnival of crystalline jubilee in wind whipped flakes"...... What a bewitching and astonishingly beautiful image you have drawn here. Winter is given a unique face lift.... much different from the hackneyed portrayal....! Simply Lovely, Sam
Kauffman Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 9:51 AM
Hi Valsa. I so appreciate your note and your visit. Thank you for your delightful message and feedback. This is based on a walk I took in the mountains. I love your word bewitching to describe this experience for it was both bewitching and enchanting! Thank you for putting a :) on my face and a little extra spring in my step today! Sending you blessings for your day.
Hankins Avatar
January 12, 2022 at 2:08 PM
Having grown up in the mountains, Sam, I have experienced what you are so exquisitely writing. Your imagery is absolutely flawless. Loved it. Superb! A FAVE for me!
Kauffman Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 9:49 AM
Thank you so much Milt! Your FAVE is an honor. Your wonderful words just made my heart :)! Living in the mountains is not always easy but what an amazing place to grow up! While I didn't grow up in the mountains, I was only an hour from them growing up and lived in Colorado at their feet while teaching skiing in both places. I'm afraid I'm an inveterate lover of mountains in all their seasons! Wishing you a Happy New Year. Sending blessings of joy to you.
Allison Avatar
January 12, 2022 at 12:50 PM
Your imagery is exquisite Sam, each line is an absolute gem , am adding it to my faves:-) hugs Jan xx
Kauffman Avatar
January 12, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Jan, thank you so much! Your fav is an honor! This is based on a snowy evening walk in the Colorado mountains. There was such awe inspiring beauty everywhere I looked. It was a magical celebration hosted by winter. Hope you are doing well. Sending blessings and warm hugs! :)
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