We Are

Beneath this frozen ground we wait

protected from the iron fist

of winter as her cover slips,

to freeze your garden, spread sharp frost

on wayward leaves now crunchy crisp.

Wild winds whip up and sun has lost

her welcome warmth, so pale her face,

no trace of robust, rosy glow.

Predicted soon are falls of snow

and ice will cling on country roads.

Our time clock ticks yet we must rest

in silent sleep, bear out the chill

until we push our waking green

through stubborn earth. And then the thrill

in early spring, we'll bring to you,

we'll dance for you in thickened clumps.

We are your promised daffodils.

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

Today Chris i noticed my miniature daffies all have yellow buds just waiting to burst open, they have been peeking through for a while but now i can see the yellow from my window..
A lovely poem to describe how hardy plants are, even delicate ones somehow manage that long cold sleep of hibernation, nature is fascinating how she recovers and re-biths herself..

[Chris Shaw]

I just love spring Stella. I also have tiny daffodils growing on my deck table in pots. They have yet to bloom. Will be a treat when they do. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. Many thanks.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

So many joys in the garden, now i can see properly i also see the yellow primroses are smiling from way up at the other end whee i couldn't focus before ,,:)

[Wild Rose]

Today we have the yellow daffys waving above a layer of snow
Easter roses (redish like Christmas Roses) hiding under a weeping Maple tree

Birds hopping after the crumbs I have just scattered

Thick warm coats cover my bare arms of last week

[Chris Shaw]

Yep, it's a bit chilly here today as well. What a difference a week makes. No snow though. Just topped up the bird feeder. Thank you Wild Rose. Wrap up warm.

Chris

[Wild Rose]

The snow was not forecast for us
A weather warning was issued two hours after it has begun with blocked roads and no snow ploughs/gritters to deal with it - the drivers could not get to the depot

[Chris Shaw]

So much for weather forecasting. Great after the event eh? Hope the situation improves up there. Blue sky here and sun.

[Wild Rose]

By lunch time all the low level snow was gone > More rain wind today

[Chris Shaw]

Aw, sorry about your inclement weather. Especially as we are blessed today :) Your turn soon.

[Wild Rose]

It was unusual just West Cumbria with blocked roads Normally it is the cross country roads and the M6

We have food and water in for over a week > Comes from living in a rural village on the Pennines

[Chris Shaw]

You are a wise man. That comes with living :)

[Wild Rose]

Wise LADY > I let her plan that sort of stuff

[Crowley]

Its coming!!! Actually here it is pretty much on us, just planted in the garden and been hanging out on patios. It has been lovely. Probably will get another blast before things start really heating up. Oh those promises...great piece Christine!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Where have you been? You have been missed. Pleased to hear you have been attending to your garden lovelies. Can't wait for the warmer whether. All good wishes Crowley.

Chris

[Crowley]

I was just unable to write a thing and was a little depressed about it so stayed off for a bit. Trying to wind it back up!!!

[Chris Shaw]

That happens to us all at times, that dreaded writers block. Hope you are feeling more uplifted. I'm glad you are back.

Chris

[Eilis]

I love that it is the daffodils speaking. I didn’t see that coming until they spoke for themselves. Sometimes I think I’m a bit dense as a reader and miss things. Like now, when your whole lovely series of descriptions made it all so clear. It was an elegant trip.

We have had daffodils blooming for almost two months here. It has been a mild but very rainy winter. Early flowers are a nice consolation for a landscape composed mostly of puddles.

I thought the voice in this was beautiful. A nice lushness in the description that made it a pleasure to read.

Lovely work, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Eilis for your thoughtful review. So much appreciated.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Crisp cold winter morning, but a light thoughtful sprinkle of warm of spring ahead heard and felt and seen.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn. I appreciate your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[emmajoy]

In spite of your still seen and felt Wintry signs, what a bright and lovely poem, Chris. Finely written, cleverly found rhyming sounds, all focussed with the poet's thoughts and hopes for those trumpets of Spring.. our daffodils!

(A few of mine are just about blooming in their protected sites, but, others are still thinking about it. Daffs have a naturally inborn delay switch if Winter conditions hit, but a few days of higher temps usually work miracles. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Em. Ours are a bit slow this year even with the warmer temperatures of the past few days. They will bloom when they are ready. Just have to be patient. Thank you for your thoughts. Always appreciated.

Chris

[emmajoy]

When yours are blooming and their trumpets jolliying, my dilly darlings will be waving goodbye!

[Chris Shaw]

Enjoy them while you can :)

[emmajoy]

I am, I am, I am!!! Love dillies, especially as they follow dainty little snowdrops and near exotic hellobores. It really is a special pick-and-mix mid.season of flowers. :)

[kentuck14]

Chris,
A wonderful lyric. A pure pleasure to follow your lines. This poem and your "taking stock' remind me of two poems of mine which follow somewhat the thoughts in these poems, but of different style. I will have to post them sometime. Thanks for this.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your response Tom. So pleased that you are enjoying my poetry you must post your poems. I would like to see your train of thought.

Chris

[kentuck14]

I will at some point.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Love daffodils Chris! This poem is filled with their sweet voices, golden smiles and fragrant grace. Lovely form, flow, intricate rhyme and vivid imagery. Your use of language is impeccable as always. Yes, sleep and dream peacefully where the Winter winds can’t harm you little ones. We, and the benevolent Spring, await your awakening. Thank you for this beautiful write.

[Chris Shaw]

You have such a talent for reviewing Annette. Yours are always so special. Wishing many daffodils for you to brighten your days. Thank you so much.

Chris

[augustus]

If it weren't for the appearance of daffodils, I would give up and go live on a desert island in the Carribean!

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Augustus. They are a sight to behold aren't they? Well Wordsworth thought so. You look as though you might already have arrived on that island by the look of your avatar :) Thank you for your visit. Most appreciated.

Chris.

[Weeping willow]

Beautiful expression of winters frozen glass to cover the earth in cold ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Weeping willow for your kind review and visit. Much appreciated.

Chris

[lizardbrain]

there's nothing like spying those first few daffodils of spring :) I hope that the false springs dropping back into winter doesnt affect these beautiful blooms! and glad to see i'm not the only one fixating on winter in my writing these days. look forward to the spring bloom of poetry alongside the daffodils!

[Chris Shaw]

We have warmer weather and a few more daffodils now. Nothing like it to raise the spirits. I'm not a winter person either. Many thanks for your review:)

Chris