Sky gray as grave wrappings,
day dawns with the sullens.
Sodden leaf mold mingles
with the scent of coming snow.
Silent crows are drenched and dismal,
staring into the storm’s eye.
Oak leaves, brown and wilted,
make a damp chatter, as if they gossip.
Even the dryad shivers,
lissome and fair but cold in there.
She turns a shoulder to the icy wind
and hoodwinks the honest earth
into seeing a magic eye appear
gathering the light, shedding no tear.
The luminous gaze falls on the smallest
child, hopeful of seeing the first
snowflake spiral like a fallen star.
No frown can stay down in
the presence of wonder and hope.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Note: A dryad is a nymph or goddess of a tree, often an oak. I make reference to a Sylvia Plath poem, On the Difficulty of Conjuring Up a Dryad, in which conjuring, Plath fails. Her “tree stays tree” no matter how she wrenches “obstinate bark and trunk/ To [her] sweet will”. Is she disappointed or triumphant when “no luminous shape/ Steps out radiant in limb, eye, lip,/ To hoodwink the honest earth which pointblank/ Spurns such fiction/ As nymphs”? She then observes that her cold vision “will have no counterfeit/ Palmed off on it.” My imagination is of a different sort than hers today. Where my eye scans, I see magic. May you have a magical day.
I love the shapes in the trees and your fab atmospheric poem. Dryads are very special! 🙂
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Thanks, I was happy with this one.
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No frown can stay down when children smile, giggle or just are present. ♡ They radiate all kinds of goodness, Brenda. Such blessings send those “blues away!” I will have the 2 boys for awhile tomorrow night and then, the 2 girls M &M sweeties, full of energy and mischief overnight Friday. My big dollops of Joy are found in small packages.
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You are a lucky woman! And they are lucky kids. 🙂
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The branches look like they are hugging! I love this Brenda! Stunning photos as well!
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Thanks, MM!
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Oh course sweet Brenda! ❤
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This is sooo cool…
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Yes, brrr! LOL Thanks!
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You took me to an enchanted forest with your words.
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As my children do, regularly. Have a great week!
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I love tree spirits, Ents!
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Ents forever! Don’t be hasty. 🙂
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No as they say be careful what you wish for. 🙂
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Wondering — if Plath had been able to see through your eyes …
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There just isn’t room in my head for two poets. LOL She had such amazing ability with words, but her words are so often full of despair and anguish. I’m far more buoyant. Irrepressible, really. She could have stood to light up a bit. Poor woman.
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Yes this is magical – especially the part about the Oak Leaves damp chatter and gossip (brilliant)!
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Thanks, Mary! Everyone like a different part. I love it when that happens. 🙂
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ooh, i loved this and learned a new word today, too )
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I’m glad you liked it. Cheers, Brenda
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What a great tree and poem to match!
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Thanks! Have a great week ahead!
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Magic, indeed. Beautifully written, Brenda
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Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
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Yes, Brenda, you always see magic! Wonderful! 😉
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Thanks, Fabio! As do you! Have a great week ahead.
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This was incredibly beautiful Brenda, your words have a life of it’s own! 🙂
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Why, thank you! Have a great weekend!
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“lissome and fair but cold in there”
sigh sigh sigh. thanks for the beauty.
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I’m so glad you like my rhymes, my poet’s tricks. 🙂 I was afraid no one would read past the first line.
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Gave me goosebumps Brenda which means it is really, really wonderful!
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Thanks, Cindy! What a great comment. I appreciate you!
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moody…great combination
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Thanks! Winter is a moody time for me. 🙂
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me as well… but it’s summer here right now
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Enjoy it! I love summer with my kids.
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I love your usage of hoodwinks. You never cease to amaze.
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Thanks, but I have to admit to referring to Sylvia Plath with that phrasing. She was so magic in her word choice.
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I am thankful to learn through you. You are still an amazing writer.
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Thanks, Belinda. I am thankful to learn through your wisdom. XOXO
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Thanks for touching my heart and being a steadfast friend.
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Aw, you’ve touched my heart too. I wish you all health and happiness. And lots of fun, too!
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I loved the poem and the foot note was informative too. Have a magical day you too !
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Thanks! Hope your weekend is wonderful. XOXO
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