Winter Night

Alaska winter nights can be magical

The snow is old and crusty.

No need for snowshoes

Skis, only if you have destination.

I walk. The Styrofoam crunch grates into my brain.

A starkly alone land,

the sound of dropping snow from a branch can be startling.

The night is settled, long or far from the Sun's last set.

I'm  comfortable in this frozen weird lit world.

It's a time to look in at my life, then out at the lack of life.

It's a place stinging in aloneness, the frozen center of hell

With the wonder and peace of heaven.

I ponder death and how it finally comes.

In the distance something strikes ground through the snow, THRUMP.

I nod and smile, grateful to my world's for the answer. 

That is death when it comes. No matter how peaceful, how painful, or how prolonged,

There is life, then

Death comes with a THRUMP.

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

The crunch of snow makes such an ubiquitous sound. Long walks are good for contemplation, and food for the soul, more so in the winter, I think, when our own mortality is parallel to the dormant signs of nature. I've never been to Alaska, but I do love the winter and all it encompasses. Good to meet you, Mark. Thank you for a most poetic winters night!

[Lisasview]

To be honest your About Me page, which is long ...is so interesting that i have not read your poem yet.
The struggles that people often have to endure....
But at least you are doing something you enjoy!
Okay so now I will read your poem...
and, oh gosh although I did not find it to be a poem I did enjoy the short story...
Lisasview

[Mark]

Thanks much for reading my poem, or story. I guess I never expected I'd remember those days in Alaska, but the winter nights with the full moon made an impression. Because of the snow, the forest was always lit up and wind beaten, walking around was like walking on styrofoam.

[Lisasview]

Hello from Spain,
I believe that our memories come to life as get older and older...
Lisasview

[Coyote Poetry]

I could feel the cold of Alaska in your words. I liked the description of living and struggling in the Alaska cold. Thank you Mark for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[emmajoygreen]

Every day, no matter freeze or blushing scarlet at the sight of the sun - life should be considered as the norm not simply as a bonus surely. Death is not the sole privilege of age; okay, perhaps one could consider - if wanted, to write in pencil rather than quill when older!

That said your words are logical and.. put so beautifully especially ' Alaska winter nights can be magical " That makes life special because one can dwell in the sight of it rather than the leaving or going out of it. Perhaps.

[Mark]

From the perspective of age, death is just a part of life and should be considered motivation for living the life you want to live

[emmajoygreen]

I very much agree, Mark - and live for every day by learning something new - however small, each and every day. Yes?

[Mark]

Yes 😄 every day

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Life is but a few crackling steps from death....and with each step we hear...the knowledge is that we get to enjoy at least one more day....something for which to be grateful.

j.