Followers

Thursday 21 February 2013

A WALK IN WINTER

I'm blending into the sky. It's insipid grey
Infuses hands and face with cold lifelessness.
Barely a shade darker, the bony fingers of skeletal trees
Clutch at my coat sleeves like cadavers, begging
For life-force to clothe again their naked forms
In summer green. Oh I swear these vampiric beings
Would steal mine, should exhaustion slow my steps
And lull me into the mental absence of half-sleep.
So I push onwards...

Stumbling over hoof prints fossilised in frozen mud.
Last autumn's leaves, now decomposing,
Cling to my boots releasing the distinctive odour
Of damp mould.
Everything is slowly decaying here in nature's graveyard,
Where even mighty ferns lie shrivelled and impotent as death.
Is mine the only life in this forsaken wood?
As if in answer to my unspoken question,
The Sun slips over the edge of a cloud bank
Casting my shadow across a tiny snowdrop -
So white and vibrant
Against the endless brown.

25 comments:

  1. I love how the sun answered your question :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes, the Sun! Haven't seen it for days now.
      Need it to breathe some life into me, to announce the imminent return of spring!!
      Thank you Keith :)

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thank you Anthony, and welcome to my blog!:)

      Delete
  3. I was almost lost in the opening half-sleep until stumbling from grey to brown over the fossil hoof print asking who's (hooves) print. Your quickened pace and stamina are what kept me from the lull. And when you mentioned the ferns lie shriveled, I knew you were there in those woods one winter day, for not many take note of them. Whether in forsaken woods or under sun or cloud, the shadow of decay is cast on everyone; even snowdrops melt, but I understand the Hope.

    A walk on a winter's day, as you've been privy, has its beauty in its stillness and its silence, both of which you have captured here without their explicit mention by placing the focus on the decomposing and its smell.

    Well, my mental absence has returned and I must be off to sleep. Nice work Ygraine. Next time let me know when you're going for a walk in winter. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Gnome.
      So good to know you were there on that walk through the wood with me on that freezing winter's day!
      Think it may be a while before I venture out again though, the temperature has plummeted even lower since then!! :(

      Delete
  4. I wanted to cut and paste some lines, but ended up wanting to cut and paste them all. The first four or five lines just took hold of me and offered all kinds of thoughts and feelings. And from there it wavered not a bit, but kept me enthralled throughout. Brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks Dave. I am so glad you enjoyed reading this. Truly.
      I'm not much of a winter person, but I do love the woodlands at this time of year.
      I feel totally at one with Nature there...and it is so therapeutic. :)

      Delete
  5. I'm always "there" in your words. The lines of your poems always, always place me somewhere inside them. Brilliant! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a true sense of "sharing" in your words Nyssa. It makes me feel connected and less lonely among those trees!
      Thank you so much xxx

      Delete
  6. Stunning Ygraine! I have taken this walk with you today and I have felt the clinging grey sky, smelt the mire, mould, death and decay and felt the exhilaration when the snowdrop melted away the clinging despair! Thank you for sharing this delightful poem :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank YOU Rose, for making it all feel worthwhile!
      I so appreciate your kind words.
      What I like about the death and decay of winter, is the promise it brings that spring is just around the corner!
      Hope you are having a good weekend xx

      Delete
  7. Wow Ygraine ! The merciless nature of Time has definitely impacted on my appreciation of life ......and the endless seasons divided into processes of death and renewal have lately haunted my perceptions of Finality. And there I think is the essence of the poetic truth in this poem. Instead of seeing life as a criminal injustice I think the obvious conclusion to be drawn from this process of decay and renewal suggested so eloquently in your poetic vision is the unending trilogy of the impartial observer whose input into this repetitive passage of death and renewal offers a personal majestic, vivifying evolution of purposeful and intensely religious magnanimity suggested by the observer's ability to shield the symbolic seed of " the tiny snowdrop ". Your apt choice of situational irony captured in this instance I believe is a reflective, meditative alternative vision of the merciless passage of time .
    I know I rant on a lot Ygraine but I love your poetic vision; it resonates such a powerful , otherworldly tune in me that should be celebrated wholeheartedly....
    When I get the time I will start posting some more on my blog...in the meantime I will keep dropping by your place to experience what other goodies you may have to offer. I love your poetic vision......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. William, how can I ever thank you enough?
      I feel so honoured by your words here.
      This, to me, was just a simple poem...yet you have found such deep meaning within it.
      The cycles of Nature have always facinated me, and indeed, give me hope when I feel hopeless.
      When my world is falling around me, I look to the likes of that tiny snowdrop to give me the faith that those "dead" times will pass and I'll live again!

      Thank you so much for all your encouragement. :)

      PS, Please write again soon. I keep visiting your blog in the hope of finding a new post.
      I so miss them.

      Delete
  8. Esp. loved "nature's graveyard". What a great phrase, and lovely writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks, icyHighs.
      That really means a lot to me. :)

      Delete
  9. Thank you so much for visiting, Gloria!
    It is really great to hear from you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just for atmosphere and scene setting, the first stanza is a winner. Many thanks. I really loved the poem.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My sincerest thanks.
      I am so happy you liked it!

      Hope you had a great weekend :)

      Delete
  11. Thanks for your poem. Greeting from Italy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks Kyra.
      Really good to hear from you.

      Happy Monday!:)

      Delete
  12. A wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing so beautifully.:)

    Madison

    ReplyDelete
  13. My heart-felt thanks, Madison.
    That is very much appreciated.:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ygraine..this poem was so potent from the very first line.. and a very multi-sensory experience for me..your words were alive..i could taste and smell them ...and feel them..outstanding poetry! beautiful and haunting words..death and decay yes.. yet so life-like and riveting for me...beautiful! This is another one of your poems on my list of faves now!!
    Sublime...I crave to be near the visuals you have left me with now..
    hugs and blessings
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Victoria...so much!
      It is a wonderful feeling to know you were with me in Spirit in that wintery wood.
      I shall have to re-visit in summer...:)

      Blessings & Hugs
      xxx

      Delete

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my posts.
I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)