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.

[Lydia Shutter]

This January was even cold in South Florida. We had nights into the 30's which is unheard of here. Yes, looking ahead to the days when the flowers begin to bloom is what I intend to do. Beautiful snowdrops and tulips make the world a happier place! I am sure your skin is not "a sickly shade of grey"! Lovely write, Chris. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Lydi**. Liking your new avatar. Yes, we have had some very cold weather so spring can’t come soon enough. Looking forward to those spring flowers peeping through as you are too. Take care.

Chris

[Dylan Macadham]

Months of the Year have their own persona. I agree with you Chris, January is Dismal, as you've unwaveringly and convincingly written. October is my favorite. If it were a person I think maybe it would somebody like Charles Dickens :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dylan. October is a beautiful month and Dickens is certainly a most wonderful writer. January has too many sad anniversaries for me. Much prefer February. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

I am 100% with you and such a well written, appropriate piece.... the cold and dreariness has suck the spirit out of me and others I'm sure... I loved the line "Even your skin is a sickly shade of grey"....fir the climate for sure...Yes, We all can't wait until some color arrives before our eyes, and the leaves wake up to a perfect green...we need some warmth...we need some life!!! Lovely!
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for sharing your most welcome thoughts. Have a beautiful day. 🌹

read moreThank you dear Betty for sharing your most welcome thoughts. Have a beautiful day. 🌹

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You are very welcome dear Chris
Hope all is well🌷🌷🌷Warmly
B😊

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work. I can feel it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Thomas. Pleased you enjoyed this one.

[Pete]

captures the mood so well. great imagery and feeling in emotive word knitting. brrr, it won't be long now. the days are getting longer and the sun higher in the sky. well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. Too many sad anniversaries in January of my dearest. Always pleased to get it out of the way and for the days to get lighter. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Good morning Chris, i was thinking about snowdrops only yesterday, something to look forward to now the days are lengthening.
Your silver birch sighs and my rowan tree wilts in todays gale, but i suppose as you say February is full of promise and might sweep away some of our sorrows..

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Stella. I am so looking forward to snowdrops and crocus appearing. A mood shifter for sure, along with lighter days. I think we haven’t suffered with the storm as much as some parts of the country have. Hope all is well. Have a good weekend and big thank yous for stopping by.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Hi Chris, we haven't suffered with the storm much, it's frightening to watch the trees bend but having said that 2 pigeons in the ash tree outside seemed to be enjoying the swing :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. We have two pigeons in our silver birch. They are happy too this morning. No wind at all. Quite calm with lovely blue sky and sun.

[Stella Armour]

Same here Chris, a beautiful morning after the storm. A reminder i think that sometimes we need a bit of darkness for us to appreciate the light ..

Stella

[Lorry]

January can't end too cursing soon! I like that.
We have storm Eowyn arriving tomorrow and that can fork off too! 😃
Who names these storms? Do they do it at closing time, or are they self medicating with something stronger?
Answers on a postcard to the usual address for your chance to win a Blue Peter badge! 😃

[Chris Shaw]

How’s that cursing storm going? I think we got let off lightly. No apparent damage in these parts. Let’s hope the nasty weather goes. Spring’s just round the corner. Thanks Lorry.

Chris

[Lorry]

Gone for now but snow on way!
Just waiting for first light to assess any damage but apart from a shop collapsing inappropriately, some roofs getting tired of being held down and a wall that was so exhausted it fell in on itself, plus all the clearing up I think we escaped relatively unscathed too.
As long as the winds died down the shops will be mobbed today, if you can get to them as all public travel is still off.
So in summation, just a usual Friday but less punch and stabby! 😃

[Chris Shaw]

Oh dear. Sounds like a clearing up exercise before the snow starts. I’ve just got a messy garden and I’m quite thankful for that. We got off lightly. Keep smiling 🙂

[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