Winter's Bone

...a prelude to winter

Winter’s Bone

 

 

 

the roads not plowed that winter

left an avalanche of snow

upon the Minnesota landscape

 

the northern cardinal

and common redpoll

took refuge in the Norway spruce,  

seeking shelter in the thicket of branches

from the shrills of winter’s bone

 

our bodies hunkered down

underneath a goose down quilt

that took the bitter chill away,

that permeated through the brumal sleep

of winter’s bone.

 

Author's Note

Although most of the country is enduring a heat wave at present, my muse opted for cooler temperatures. It’s my birthday today, and this is my present to share!

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

you really captured that depressing feeling of walking through a snowed-out area. we have biting cold and snowfall in parts of japan too, although i have heard it is much colder in the midwest. i hope this coming winter will be merciful to you. and i look forward to reading more of your work.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I never imagined Japan having snowfall. Thank you for your compliments, Ern. Truly a pleasure having you here! Stay warm!

[Coyote Poetry]

Here in Michigan. A Indian Summer. 80 degrees in Michigan. Last year in my area of Michigan. One snow storm. The weather is changing. I understand missing the silence of snow. I was station in the Army in California, Texas and Georgia for 15 years. Hello dear friend and thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

The weather is changing, but there's just something about the silence of a snowfall, that nothing else quite compares. Thank you, John!

[redzone]

First: A VERY BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!!
Second: you gave yourself a wonderful gift, a poem of warmth and comfort, not to mention cuddled next to your lover.

I enjoyed the warmth I got from reading your poem Kelly. Thanks for sharing!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you so much, Curt! Please keep in touch!

[redzone]

I want to keep coming here on a regular basis. I have missed reading your poetry and others as well. Sorry that I was gone for so long.

And Kelly, yes I will keep in touch. Thanks for being you!!

[Marie]

The bite to the bone chill of winter is beautifully crafted in this finely penned narrative poem. Stunning visual detail, I love the picture you have painted through your words of the birds taking shade in the thick branches of the Norway Spruce and how you covered up with a beautiful goose down duvet to keep the cold out while sleeping. A beautiful poetic work of art, Kelly. Thank you so very much for sharing. Belated "Happy Birthday!" wishes. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful day and I wish you a very blessed and happy wonderful year ahead too. Enjoy!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you most kindly, Marie!

[Marie]

Most welcome, Kelly!

[Twilight]

Indeed.! This write seems to capture a certain means, to tackle the bitter chill of winter weather; no doubt. With the warmth of bodily heat.! Anyone who lives through the coldest of seasons, could probably relate to this. Thanks for sharing the sentiments.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I love winter. It's expressed a lot in my poetry! Thank you for your review!

[Twilight]

OK. Feel free to add me here too.

[Perdition]

A wonderful present! I feel the chill and see the pleasing contrast of red feathers huddled in the evergreen branches with cotton coats of snow, bodies in their fetal snug hibernation, both warm and familiar as home. Enticing as rare and softly placed this poem goes from harsh to the letter of sweetness so astonishingly quick and rare as to almost compare it to an Oliver ..though I wouldn't dare. This is pure "Kelly" and deserves such a distinction,...I wonder if we're feeling a brutal winter perhaps headed our way? So sorry to have missed your birthday dear friend, Happy Belated!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you so much, Joseph. Your presence here is a gift to me.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Happy Belated Birthday my dearest Kelly🎂❣️something told me to visit you today and so I join in to send wishes for a wonderful birthday & year ahead.Hope u are happy and well. A shout out sent from Pebs to Ollie too of course!
Thank you for this literary gift! Your lovely crystalline words in this wintry write are so evocative and wrap the reader in a blanket of comfort. Yes I had to lookup “brumal”- thanks for teaching me a new word! Love blessings and light sent to you😘xo

[Kelly Scheppers]

This instantly became one of my personal favorites within minutes of writing it. I've always had a penchant for winter, and that little bird in the avatar brought it all into focus for me. And the added thrill of discovering a new word...was priceless! Your presence is always the gift that keeps on giving, my friend. Always! x

[Dave]

Kelly - it's been a while since I've been here. You made me glad to have come back. Despite the winter's cold you make it seem so comfy to snuggle under the goose down quilt.
Take care - Dave

[Kelly Scheppers]

Life happens, Dave. It gets the best of our time, no matter our best of intentions to keep in touch. It is always a pleasure having you my page. Thank you!

[Arundass TP]

Happy birthday friend. We all don't love too much heat or too much cold. Great poem

[Kelly Scheppers]

I think its the extremes we all get crazy about. Thank you, Arundass!

[Arundass TP]

Welcome friend 😊

[C. M. Miller]

Kelly, "My Kelly!" How few your words warms my thoughts and makes me jealous for a fleece comforter to share; "winter's bone," nay!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I should have put a fireplace in that house, huh? But it's so much fun getting warm together! Thank you my dear Charles!

[C. M. Miller]

An Embasy cocktail 🍸 or two would certainly keep the fire glowing.