Best Hoarfrost Poems
Autumn Afterglow
As halcyon summer days
wave goodbye
Bucolic trees seen from
an autumn sky
Become a cynosure
of colored bliss
So heat of summer days
we will not miss.
When dawn's hoarfrost gleams
on gossamer seams,
As diamonds are bestowed
by sunlit beams
With pastiche of rainbow
hues in tall trees,
Leaves begin their dance
when cool zephyrs tease,
Imbued with beauty and
susurrus sound
A wayward wafture before
touching ground.
7-19-22
~7th Place Premiere Contest~
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 8 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Mark Toney
10-30-18
A Personal Favorite Poem Written in 2018~First Place~
Contest Judged: 12/12/2018 4:26:00 AM
Sponsored by: Carolyn Devonshire
EARLY NOVEMBER 2018,ANY FORM,ANY THEME,UPTO A MAX OF 20 LINES
Sponsored by: Brian Strand ~First Place~
SEASONAL OR UNSEASONAL Poetry Contest~5th Placement~
Sponsored by: Kim Rodrigues
Categories:
hoarfrost, autumn, beauty, october, seasons,
Form:
Rhyme
I saw a sundrop in a field,
a daffodil to be exact,
stand brave upon the snow-filled tract.
In blighting cold it would not yield;
long since its fellows disappeared
to that one spot it still adhered,
though flurries did the winter wield.
The autumn did its namesakes in
before the hoarfrost could begin
and slicing gusts now unconcealed,
with falling rain becoming snow.
The way of death it would not go
as though behind a covert shield
that kept its sunlit attitude
when sleet unto the land ensued.
I saw a sundrop in the field,
in blighting cold it would not yield,
though flurries did the winter wield
and slicing gusts now unconcealed,
as though behind a covert shield.
11/15/17
Categories:
hoarfrost, hope, metaphor, winter,
Form:
Rhyme
Autumn’s Breeze
Autumn drapes her lacey hoarfrost
Upon the vanishing vivid leaves of
Colored trees, upon the fences and fields
Gracing them with her demure beauty.
With her breathy chill animals prepare
For Jack Frost's stealthy fall arrival.
When his first flakes begin to fall...
Oh the beauty of it all makes one sigh.
Glorious winter twirls her pristine skirt
And naked trees welcome her white layers.
When snow has covered all the grounds
And crystals in ice cycles hang from eave's
It is winter who has been crowned Queen.
Without her blizzard bringing the freeze
No ice skating fun for eager little ones,
Or romantic skating on the moonlit lake.
There's sleigh rides in the snow as children
Show adults how much fun it can be
To build a much loved snowman, as they
Recall the glory of it all from younger years.
10-28-17 rev.
Poem of the Week September 6-11 2016
Categories:
hoarfrost, autumn, nature, november, october,
Form:
Personification
Love has taken a firm grasp of my soul,
ridding me of chill and bite of hoarfrost
Strong arms rescued me from the Winter's cold
Etched upon my heart is his name, embossed
He soothed my senses and woeful sorrows,
offered moonbeams to dispel darkest nights
Erased the reasons for my brow's furrows
Lifted me from harm and set my world aright
He drowned me in crashing tides of passion
then revived me with life's breath in a kiss
Pray, heart, keep beating in such sweet fashion
ne'er to be slain and cast in death's deep abyss.
Tender is this love through nature's seasons
with gentle reminders of heart's reasons
Categories:
hoarfrost, love,
Form:
Sonnet
Indian summer lies within your autumn hazel eyes,
my velvet bloom vibrant now lost after your killing frost;
love lingers in bereft fingers, I stroke your face in guise,
once lustrous, amaranthine heart lies bleeding in exhaust.
My velvet bloom vibrant now lost after your killing frost,
your chill withered russet my enchanted efflorescence;
once lustrous, amaranthine heart lies bleeding in exhaust,
as you disperse in scarlet moonlighting vaporescence.
Your chill, withered russet my enchanted efflorescence,
blue breath exhaled... my cooling mood still hangs in our mid-air;
as you disperse in scarlet moonlighting vaporescence,
your affair concupiscent more than my bemoan can bear.
Blue... breath exhaled, my cooling mood still hangs in our mid-air,
my harvested heart-ache, my heart-break, my heart-feeling weep~
your affair concupiscent more than my bemoan can bear,
into all my tomorrows tears of my sorrow shall seep.
My harvested heart-ache, my heart-break, my heart-feeling weep,
amaranth once fertile, frost-bitten, fading everyday;
into all my tomorrows, tears of my sorrow shall seep
despite your warmth, light of day and hoarfrost melting display.
Amaranth once fertile, frost-bitten! Fading everyday,
love lingers in bereft fingers. I stroke your face in guise;
despite your warmth, light of day and hoarfrost melting display,
Indian summer - lies! - within your autumn hazel eyes.
Susan Ashley
October 8, 2017
~ Third Place~
Contest: Mid October Premiere
Sponsor: Brian Strand
Categories:
hoarfrost, autumn, betrayal, love hurts,
Form:
Pantoum
Streaks of anguish like drooping trees
Entrap pale hours across nightscape ,
Then crushing low upon my feet
Each leaf's motion reflects one bid
In neutral shades when moon withdraws--
That all around, on pine and lake,
My flame of hope enkindles breath
To glint beyond November's chill,
Awaiting a young son's return
From war-torn grounds cold as hoarfrost:
Till leaves form a halo , renewed
Adorning yard its lambent sheen,
Through colored tints which now imbue
A promise blest, of new life's course!
Hope, Old or New Poetry Contest
For Carolyn Devonshire 1/07/2019
~ New Entry
Categories:
hoarfrost, blessing, devotion,
Form:
Blank verse
Who bade your life to live as such
pervading hearts with perfumed nose?
As down thy petals tempt the touch
when all for passions sake you're chose.
With lifetimes taken to bloom no more
you flower to favor all those who mourn,
then dance to dirges at misfortunes shore
un-bowing in tribute exalting fates thorn.
When the last crimson fades and darkness unfurls
and from winters hoarfrost you wither and fall
who'll mourn at your bedside as scentless wind swirls
and answer grave's whispers when I make my call.
So dance in the sunlight as long as you will,
While a vestige of fortune desires you still.
07/29/2018
Not Just Any Old Rose Contest
Categories:
hoarfrost, death, rose,
Form:
Sonnet
SPRING
Testing the water with bare toes
I will recoil
to the misted edge of hoarfrost
softened soil
peek through eyes of Crocus
and Jonquil
at the emptiness my promise
must fullfil.
I’ll whisper to the branches shy
with cold
to remember seasoned stories
they were told
beckon to the passing birds -
alight
let us celebrate this
un-chilled night.
My warming fingers, reaching gently,
thaw river ice
as softened earth imparts my scent
to foggy spice
worms wiggle in the drizzling
April showers
as dawn tempts the stretching vines
climb empty bowers.
I will touch each aching heart
with sunshine’s gift
releasing all from stifling
Winter’s grip
nestle with the Cardinals
and Jays
languish in renewals
warming haze.
1/2/2015
submitted to Seasons – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Shadow Hamilton
Categories:
hoarfrost, seasons, spring,
Form:
Personification
The brittle stems of Queen Anne's Lace
reduced to barren winter bone;
a hoarfrost Ermine coat embrace,
impaled in soil that's turned to stone.
The flowers now are wicker cups,
wear Bowler's hats of purest white;
the snowflakes that they interrupt
await the wind; resume their flight.
The Junco in the Prairie Grass,
drad colors blending, stem and snow;
his flitting business come to pass
without a glimpse of style, or show.
White crystal mist; the morning still,
a cold and colorless display;
the fenceposts marching up the hill
like soldiers, slowly fade away.
This day in its entirety
constructed thus to fit the mood,
cabin bound and winter weary,
must you in my lament intrude?
From deep within the Cedar tree
in blazing red from cap to tail,
you interrupt my woe-is-me,
insure my pensive mood will fail!
Categories:
hoarfrost, nature, upliftingwinter, winter,
Form:
Rhyme
I sat quietly and waited, making the noises he had come to know, calling him in his newly given name. His face would appear, cautiously calculating my intent, he would approach. The promise of food and gentle touch too much to deny. And so we did the “Little Prince’s” taming dance, each aware of the other and the possibility of betrayal.
cold eyes, empty heart
frost forming on life’s edges
winter’s numbing kiss
Our meetings continued, less cautious greetings, more welcome contact, minimal conversation. His coat was becoming more ragged in spite of attempts to keep it up, his gait slowing as our good-byes became short walks together. He could not leave his place, his home, even though it had left him – alone, to fend for himself.
hoarfrost in retreat
sunrise gently awakens
friendships warming blood
He withdrew – I would wait, quietly, whisper the name he had come to know, make the sounds that signaled “all clear”. I searched for him, stood silent and listened for his weakening call, shed tears in the cold rain of November. His last call, a feeble attempt at good-bye, led me to him. Alone, cold, hungry, he lay there, rolled his eyes as I cradled his cold and fading spirit. He shivered – and left.
winter’s cold cradle
ice encasing a friendship
a thawing of hearts
10/20/2015
submitted to – Creative Haibuns – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Charlotte Jade Puddifoot
Categories:
hoarfrost, animal, death, friendship,
Form:
Haibun
Autumn's Aria
As crisp chill usurps the summer air
Autumn flirts with every colored tree
Coaxing with musical wind so fair...
Fall leaves dance to death quite willingly,
Spin in pirouettes so wild and free.
As leaves with stunning colors now rest
In a quilt to warm the earth below,
These jewels arrayed to look their best
Add such pleasure to sweet autumn's glow
In the glory that her gifts bestow.
Halloween will share with so much fun
Kids adorned in costumes...scary, sweet,
As the full moon's glow replaces sun
From door to door they will trick or treat;
Hear their laughter echo down the street.
Rain rendezvous with wind's whistling choir;
Joins in song as geese take southern flight
In silhouette of harvest sunset's fire.
Pumpkins mirror moon's enchanting light
'Till dawn displays pristine hoarfrost bright.
8-26-18
Bring on Fall Contest. ~First Place~
Sponsor Francine Roberts
Categories:
hoarfrost, autumn, seasons,
Form:
Quintain (English)
Winter Sonata 11-29-23
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Winter Sonata
In grave allegro solo grey gathers,
Strings of winter fantasias
Brewing staccatos of frozen fall remnants,
Downbeats for the first movement
As shivering sleet wipes away bucolic barcarolles
Rocking on sapphire barges,
Harbingers of hoarfrost and hibernation,
When leafless boughs conduct the opening motif
To summon deepening darkness
From restrained shadows of turbulence
To beat warnings on frosted windows
Of snug dens – sheltered hallows.
Sweet solstice flutes sing adagio
Then scatter crystalline mists across snow packed paths
In the movement pathetique when sunglow
Glides between aspen,
Ankle deep in fleecy billows,
Sugar flakes flutter in Heaven’s perfect pitch
Rhythmic silent rests hypnotize crisp midnights
When fluttering flakes of dreamy andantes
Ride on melodic cantabile whispers
In flurries of fleecy decrescendos
Spells of codas, enthralled by idle snowfall,
Glitter in lyric tinsel of sparkling crystal beads on twigs.
Movement presto crescendos in frenzied storms
Snowfall pizzicatos fall in descending measures
When rondos of wind song ensembles
Ascend in frigid notes of icy scales
That pirouette in pulsing beats with resonate strings
Plucked by boreas in thundersnows percussions,
Vivace mistrals whirl in powdery ghosts
That spin in tremolo trills of icicles,
And in whiteout scherzos of blizzard sonatas,
Dizzy with solstice frosty fevers
As winter’s thundering cadence modulates
Into vernal sighs of resolution.
Categories:
hoarfrost, song, winter,
Form:
Free verse
Winds of Change
Capricious, wild zephyr – face changing ever
Pirouettes on toes with mischief clever
Breathes dawn’s glow – gusty gales of crystal snows –
Signals the seasons – the bloom of the rose.
A whiff of coming Spring – perfumed soft sighs -
Lifts up baby birds to touch new sky highs
In Summertime cools the dry sunburned land
Sweating dirt devils spin 'cross the beach sand.
A whirlwind of moods - mistrals laugh then brood -
Twirls pinwheel hues in Autumn's interlude
Cold drafts exhale in frigid Winter tales
Telltale breath bears meadow white hoarfrost frail.
Though changing winds beg to spin weathervanes
Each season’s persona remains unchanged.
11-24-20
Contest: Winds of Change
Sponsor: John Hamilton
Categories:
hoarfrost, seasons, wind,
Form:
Sonnet
Many are the miles you snake along the hillsides, through the valleys,
conforming to the highways, partitioning pasture from pasture
neighbour from neighbour, friend from foe, son from father.
a face unperturbed…
one inhaling scenic grace
spring chattering birth
Sanctuary to winter flock shelter for the beast,
many characteristics embraced within your tenacity,
while countless shapes formulate your strength,
crag face monument a testament to this place, stone the essence.
breaking dawn’s sunrise …
golden threads breaking the mist
surfing nether clouds
Many years you’ve stood against sweeping rain, hoarfrost nights,
the heat of summer, the inane rambler that mounts your very strength
rests wearily for a while, never a thought for whom created
you, from out of the very ground you now preside over.
there are no concepts…
only seasons to embrace
and generations
© Harry J Horsman 2022
Categories:
hoarfrost, tribute,
Form:
Haibun
Beneath a perpetual sky
Longing to perceive nature’s sigh,
In lanes of sparkling morning dew
Before ‘Draughton village’ we view.
Thunder lightning hoarfrost and hail
Sunbaked days when coasting the dale,
‘Bolton Abbey’ stone throw from home
Muscles taut, like a garden gnome.
West wind howling hard to face
When 'Crindles Hill’ did slow the pace,
Delightful scene when on the crest
Downward cruise gratifying rest.
This green bike bought from ‘Uncle Cliff’
Dreams fulfilled with chain driven diff,
Simple, yet it was nature’s plan
This childhood journey that began!
© Harry J Horsman 2012
Categories:
hoarfrost, adventure,
Form:
Rhyme