February Calling

Spontaneous write

January a month of ghastly …

ghosts goodbyes and shadows
suffocating
where even the limbs of our silver birch
sigh with grief and wave weak
in their doldrum sorrow

insipid is the winter garden
drear in despondent gloom
January a month without mirrors
can’t end too cursing soon

in hibernation
don’t find me they say
for the love of the Lord
don’t look at yourself
even your own skin
is a sickly shade of grey

a countdown to days ahead
where those beds where the bulbs rest
will bring signs of life

wait for the first snowdrops to appear
or crocus in golden clumps bid hello
as the most wicked month in the
calendar year retreats
while I cheer with my hearts drum beat

February calling

Reviews

[JustPlainHere]

This is really gorgeous with its rhythm and alliteration. I love the descriptions as well. It seems all the cheer is reserved for the ushering in of the cold season, but then there's none left for the rest of it. We're all a little gray for those months - which leads me to really identify with the fourth stanza. Seeing myself in the mirror during those months, with their draftiness and dampness is really depressing. I love how the poem ends with the thought of snow, and how that at least gives us something. January being just a cold barren emptiness between the holiday season and snow season.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful review. I appreciate you stopping by to share JPH.

Chris

[JustPlainHere]

Very much my pleasure.

[Soren]

Chris you have evoked in me feelings of the past. I lived in the north most of my life and fought the cold, snow and gray (grey) days. It was because of this January and Feburary that I moved south where there is no snow and the cold months hold only rain so things stay green year round. A very vivid description of the month indeed.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Soren for stopping by. I am not a fan of winter in general but January is brimful of sad anniversaries. Best out of the way.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

I don't know if anyone else might see it, but this marvelous ponderance reminds me a bit of Poe. The month of January is seen as a dark, cold, and desolate time, (which it certainly can be) a time during which terrible things might happen. But, hurrah! February will save the world, extinguish the darkness and color the landscape in warm colors.
We've had a very cold winter here so far, but I know the first daffodils will begin sprouting by the end of February. Now you've got me feeling anxious.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello dear Sam. Thank you for checking in. January is the month of misery for me. Far too many anniversaries of dearly departed, mum and dad’s included. Yes it is my least favourite month. I always feel much better in February which is my birthday month and also sees the start of the bulbs peeping through my garden. Sorry it is such a dark write :) Hope you are keeping well.

Chris

[red93]

We all have months we don't like Chris although speaking personally, for all that the Weather can be bleak, January has generally been OK for me touch wood - I see it as the first stepping stone towards Spring. But as ever with your Work this Piece is nicely phrased and well put together ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tony. January with all its anniversaries and bad weather is the killer for me. February I think of being on the
cusp of spring. Spring is my season. Have a great Thursday.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

Such an exquisite piece of writing, Chris. The changing of seasons truly afford us a bounty of wonder, and poetic offerings like this stir the muse in me every time.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kelly, thank you for your kindness. January a month of sad anniversaries. Add the lack of daylight to the equation and I find myself wanting to hibernate. Not a good month for me. Hope you are happy and well.

Chris

[willweb]

We don't get a very harsh winter down here though it was below freezing for a few days in late December. Everything, virtually, was killed but most are already showing signs of recovery. I actually transplanted some irises this past weekend. We still may get some winter in February but it doesn't seem it will be much. That being said, I can see your poem in my own gardens after those freezes hit. Wonderfully written and understood.

[Chris Shaw]

My garden is starting to recover too. but I have lost some shrubs and winter planting. January is a month of anniversaries, so I am always pleased to see the back of it. February is on the cusp of spring, so is a more uplifting month for me. Thank you will for your visit.

Chris

[Rafia Anjum]

Nice feeling of the month under the feeling.
Amazing expressions.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ráfia. Pleased you stopped by today. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

February shining through.... leaving Red hearts scattered in the Snowy Ice.
Cardinals seem to know the Song of the Crow. e.g. "Morning has broken like the first morning... Blackbird has spoken like the first Bird" and so forth (sung by Cat Stevens). *** Bulbs are sleeping... Sun is peeping and Stars are weeping for people displaced with unknown destinations. All in All... a little Late for repairing the damage done... however, Hope is Eternal... we can see a change of attitude that the Time has arrived for fixing what is broken. February calling is a sad, but hopeful Poem. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

There is much broken in the world dear Pat and most of if it could be rectified by sensible government. Sadly we have neither on this side of the pond or yours either it seems. Polarized politics. Thank goodness we can all look and listen to the birds in the garden. A little bit of sanity. Nature is wonderful. Love the hymn morning has broken. A favorite from school days. So uplifting. Thank you kindly for your lovely review.

Chris

[AJNJ]

You did so well to describe Jan in ghastly grey shades which being very relatable to my ongoing ordeal in New Delhi with the temps falling to 1 degree C and a thick smog of a very dangerous kind. Can't wait for Feb, yeah. A poem with a universal appeal.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks AJ for your kind review. It pleases me that my poem has a universal feel. That is what I try to aim for in the most. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[Relic]

Yes, those uncomfortable reminders make certain months all the more sadder and frustrating. I'm looking forward to a better year, myself.

[Chris Shaw]

I hope this year will be better than the last as well. Nothing pleasant about funerals and the loss of loved ones. Hope 2023 is a good one for you. Anniversaries don’t help either. Thank you Tim.

Chris