April is National Poetry Month. Every year, my dear friend (and poet Extraordinaire), Mary Lee Hahn chooses a theme, and writes a poem each day. Mary Lee blogs and posts her poems at two different places- YEAR OF READING and a fabulous new poetry blog POETREPOSITORY
This year, Mary Lee has chosen the theme, "PO-EMotions," and will be writing about a different emotion each day. She promises, "This year, I will write a poem a day that either evokes an emotion, or uses an emotion word in the title or body of the poem." If you want to read more about the emotions she will be touching on, go here.
Today's emotion is surprise.
"Surprise"
In winter
I am surprised by
the tree's character
strong precise lines and
bare branch symmetry
an occasional bird's nest
tells family stories
and reminds that
new life will come
in winter
when all
that covers
and hides
is stripped
away
new tree beauty is revealed
And I wonder
if humans
live similarly
during life's winters
when all
that usually covers and hides
is stripped away
can you see
strength of character
new life
is new beauty revealed?
(C) Carol Wilcox, 2015
And today is Friday, so that means poetry all over the web. You can go to Amy Ludwig VanderWater's blog, the POEM FARM, for lots more poetry.
Yes, I think you can. "Life's winters" surprise us in many ways, and your way of seeing them as revealing beauty is beautiful itself. Thank you for such a just right metaphor at this change of weather seasons and too, for the changes in our lives. Happy Poetry Friday! xo, a.
ReplyDeleteI love the look and beauty of trees in winter. I like the comparison you make between their beauty revealed and how beauty of character can be revealed when much is stripped away.
ReplyDeleteCould it also be why we bundle up, to hide sometimes? I love the analogy & the questioning, Carol. The poem brings thought to our winter especially since spring has come, & the trees are now decorating again! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely. There is an inner strength, a beautiful framework that needs to be there when life comes back again. All those leaves, when a tree re-invents itself...they are life-affirming, but heavy. They must also be borne...in a different, more celebratory way than the cold and dark of winter are borne...but they must be borne.
ReplyDeleteTrees are brave like that, showing themselves to the world in winter. I love how you captured this feeling in your poem.
ReplyDeleteThis poem surprised me by changing my thinking. I also loved the idea of a bird's nest telling family stories. You are a painter with your words. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love the peeling away here and the uncovering of secrets buried within. Beautiful analogy! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the many layers of your "surprise", Carol! =)
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