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

[Vol]

Kelly,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
And thank you for the gift of two new words! Brumal and redpoll, I add them to my toybox with great pleasure. Your imagery gave me shivers here on a hot, humid, North Carolina day. There is something extra special about finding warm shelter in a hostile world. And when done with,

"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."
All of life becomes sublime!
Vol

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wanted to acknowledge our fine feathered friends, for winter for them is just as brutal. That avatar I used almost broke my heart. Zoom in on it and look at that little bird! Thanks so much, Vol!

[Vol]

Kelly,
All my favorite poets have that place in their heart where small things matter, whether the well-being of a small bird. or the way a piece of paper flits in the breeze. Your poem is a nice picture of a beautiful heart.
Vol

[Vol]

Oh, and let's not forget the double entendre of the title in the context of the last stanza...

[Kelly Scheppers]

You noticed! ; )

[Vol]

Are you kidding? I live for such things...

[Kelly Scheppers]

You're the only one that mentioned it. Much appreciate that!

[Vol]

Well, hahaha... I'm an all-season sorta guy, but it's hard to beat good snuggle weather...

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Happy Birthday! At least we may cool off in our imaginations eh? This was a wonderful offering on your birthday. I feel like we should be giving you such gifts and not the other way around. ;) I'm off to write you a little verse. I'll post it on your page when I'm done. Bless you, friend and may your birthday be every bit as special as you!

[Kelly Scheppers]

That's what I was hoping for, to cool things down a bit. I can almost hear the wind blowing, rattling the screen door! Thank you, Fabian. Stay cool!

[Samuel Dickens]

Ahh, some relief from this sweltering heat. Your words create vivid imagery, and I can almost smell that snow air. Is there any better, cozier feeling than hunkering down beneath a thick, warm quilt? Happy birthday! I'm guessing you're about 29.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...yes!! However did you know? Lol, I think I'm beginning to get a sunburn from those "trips" around the sun! Thanks so much, Ken!

[Stella Armour]

"Happy Birthday " .... i hope your special day is a lovely one.
Yes, the weather also in my country can make beautiful scenes although we never have the amount of snow i remember from childhood when it banked up high for days on end.
"Winter's bone" is a fabulous way to describe it ...

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wanted something different to evoke the harshness of the cold. An expression that was rarely spoken. Thanks so much for your presence here, Stella. Much appreciate the warm birthday wishes, too!

[red93]

Happy Birthday K. I love this Piece. Nothing like a warm Partner when the nights get cold. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh yes! A little body heat can go a long way, plus it eases up on the electric bill! Thank you, Tony!

[Tom]

A poetic reminder of the sterile but chilly scenic surroundings of the winter season and I've learned a new word which is appropriately used here reminding all of ' winter's bone'

" brumal - adjective: characteristic of or relating to winter
Example: "Bears in brumal sleep"

[Kelly Scheppers]

I love learning new words, too! That's definitely a good one. Thanks so much, Tom!

[Patricia Wedel]

Happy Birthday Kelly… a Pot Belly Stove would Be the Best when chilled to the Bone.., your Breasts will feel Relief from the Cold… as you see the Snow falling on the Pond… The Seasons blend with the Wind.. my Friend. Amen Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

Advice well taken! You're one in a million, Pat! Thank you!

[Patricia Wedel]

And you Kelly are one in in a Billion Sweet ♥️ Heart… the Summer is Waltzing like Kangaroos to the Tune 🎶 of Claire de Loon… Stay 😎 Cool … Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This felt allegorical to me. The world is getting so cold...that the storms are white and freezing and
the politicians are getting too lazy to plow, leaving us buried in the blizzard of poverty and hate.
j.

And Happy Happy Birthday, dear poet.

I hope you are having a good one.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thanks, J. Good to have you back!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thanks, I still have one good foot.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Kelly… your Poem is amazing… like an Artist painting with Words. You are a True Poet to the Core. Softly, Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am deeply flattered by the warmth of your generosity, Pat. I simply couldn't wait four more months to post this in the throws of winter. So overwhelmed by your review. A thousand thank yous, my friend!

[Daz]

Happy birthday dear Kelly. Thanks for sharing such vivid poetry for us here at the cafe.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, Jodash. It was actually the 5th, and I thought I had gotten under the wire in time enough for the 5th to show as the post date. Oh well, I'm celebrating through the weekend anyway! Again, thank you! Oh, btw, I really like your new avatar!