Zurich In Winter

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A gust of icy air blasts 
the cold into my bones,
tugging at my knees with 
hollow, aspirating groans,

making numb my cheeks, 
whirling 'round my waist;
pulling at me thither-ward 
down cobbled streets in haste. 

Thick snowflakes lightly flurry 
soft upon my lashes,
squinting hard, I blink away 
the blinding, frozen ashes.

Presently, I chance upon 
a steepled, stony schloss,
whence I knew myself beyond 
the bounds of Hotzestrasse.

All around me, strangers rush 
to unfamiliar places;
swiftly stepping, spinning past 
with stern, impatient faces.

I sidle down a sleepy street, 
apart the harried crowd,
into the quiet entrance 
of a quaint café I bowed.

A corner cuckoo ticks away 
the time with listless ease,
whiling away the morning; 
an anxious spirit to appease.

Rich and steamy mochas 
warm away the frosty chill
of this melancholy trav'ler
reflecting on the wintry still.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017



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Date: 8/13/2018 4:46:00 PM
Very nice! I enjoyed Zurich when there in the mid 1960's and would probably like it even more now, although I would definitely prefer warmer seasons......Your picture of the route to the coffee shop and your warming experience are quite vivid, and I look forward to reading more of your work.
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Date: 5/28/2018 7:20:00 AM
Great poem..so in-depth and fantastically written. -JWE
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Date: 9/25/2017 8:15:00 PM
wow, you have such a way with imagery, Thvia. And Connie is right. GREAT atmosphere here. You are talented!
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Date: 9/25/2017 5:27:00 PM
I love the atmosphere of this poem Thvia. I have always wanted to visit this enchanting place. You bring it to life in this wonderful poem. Beautiful! : )
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Date: 9/13/2017 2:57:00 PM
A very fine effort my fav stanza #3 bringing the syllable count per line into balance would make it even stronger. Light & Love
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/13/2017 7:47:00 PM
Thank you Debbie. I don't feel like this is my best work but posted it because I felt it still effectively conveyed the atmosphere and my mood at the time. I'll be traveling again soon and hope to get more inspiration for future pieces.
Date: 9/13/2017 10:56:00 AM
A beautifully written poem. Makes me want to go there except for the grumpy faces.
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/13/2017 7:49:00 PM
Thanks Patricia! They weren't grumpy as much as they were in a hurry and intent on where they were going. Once I got into the rhythm of the city, the people were far less intimidating.
Date: 9/13/2017 6:59:00 AM
You really know how to paint a picture, the poems transports the reader. I have been to Zurich, I remember when i visited, it snowed and it was lovely...
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/13/2017 8:01:00 PM
It's certainly beautiful!
Date: 9/12/2017 9:02:00 PM
Winter will have its say. When I went to Israel several years ago there was a blizzard. I posted a poem called "A Blizzard in Jerusalem". Your poem is so evocative it makes me feel chilly! Peace & Love Matthew Anish
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/13/2017 8:01:00 PM
Thank you Mathew. I looked for your poem and found a few with Jerusalem in the title but not one by that particular title. Could you send me a link to it, maybe? I went through all 5 pages of your work twice!
Date: 9/12/2017 6:38:00 AM
Good morning Thvia... Better you than me...This sunny boy can't take the cold. I felt the rush, the blank faces, and the frosty places. Well, steamy mochas I can have any time...Enjoyed it...
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/12/2017 7:53:00 AM
I understand that completely because I can't take the heat. I'm one of those weird people who thrives in the cold, the colder the better. The sun makes me sick because I have lupus.
Date: 9/11/2017 11:10:00 PM
Hello Thvia what a beautiful poem. I was never in Zürich but I did spend two years in Bavaria. The cobblestone streets the little cafés that are Tucked away on sidestreets I certainly miss it. I could see some of those streets I walked when I was there in your poem. you portrayed some beautiful imagery thank you for sharing. :-)
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/11/2017 11:21:00 PM
I'll be in Bavaria in November and a few other places as well. Really looking forward to it. Thank you for your kind words!
Date: 9/11/2017 3:34:00 PM
Exquisite poem, Thvia, ~`*
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/11/2017 3:43:00 PM
Thank you for taking the time to say so x
Date: 9/11/2017 12:16:00 PM
I like the imagery & flow of this poem. Welcome back Thvia.
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/11/2017 12:24:00 PM
Thank you Rob x
Date: 9/11/2017 11:44:00 AM
A great poem Thvia enriched with some fantastic imagery. Zurich sounds so inviting.
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/11/2017 11:52:00 AM
Thank you for your kindness. Zurich was difficult for me at first but after a few days I got into the rhythm and ended up loving it.
Date: 9/11/2017 11:43:00 AM
this is a really cool piece ... had some words I really wasn't sure about ... lol ... but hey ... you really have a great mind effect ... so this reader's mind is persuaded ... thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts ...
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Thvia Shetley
Date: 9/11/2017 11:52:00 AM
Thanks so much x
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