.
Underneath the frost it turns
hidden in a fog it churns
winter snaps its coiled whip
cracks the ice but holds its grip.
It wraps the trees in shiver beads
chews on shadows, spits out seeds
gracing gardens flocked in sleep
waiting for that northward leap
of the wandering, prodigal sun.
.
.
© 2014, 2017 Betty Hayes Albright
.
(Note: For others like me who didn’t realize there are both positive and negative meanings of prodigal, the intended definition in this poem is #3 in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – “yielding abundantly”.)
Seasonings 
Oh Wow, I love all of it–and am partial to “shiver beads”, such a great visual!!
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Thank you, Mirada!
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A most clever last line…enjoyed the poem.
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Glad you liked that last line, Charlie. Thank you!
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Yes, “shiver beads” – like it Betty.
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Hi Dennis! I actually thought of you, while writing this one. Partly because I know you like rhyme and meter. But also I was thinking how you (Australia) were sending the sun back north to us again.
Hope your summer has been a good one, and…. we’ll be sending the sun back to you again in a few months! 🙂 🙂
(Starting to enjoy the longer days here already.)
Thank you for stopping by – it’s always good to hear from you! (I’m always behind with blog reading, forgive me.)
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Nothing to forgive Betty – I know the feeling.
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Such graphic play of words. Every line a treasure. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much, Willow – it’s good to hear from you, as always! 🙂
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Wow Betty this is amazing! And such a clever last line that took me by surprise! I love “chews on shadows, spits out seeds” 😊
Love and hugs
xxx
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Hi Christine! So glad you liked this. (I debated about that last line… almost trashed it all.)
Hope you have a really great week!
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Nice images. Roll on Spring though. 🙂
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It’s coming, it’s coming! 🙂 Days are longer already – my favorite time of year.
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‘…it wraps the trees in shiver beads…’ favourite line!
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Thank you, Melody!
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this reads wonderfully out loud!
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Thank you, Mohana – glad you like how it sounds!
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What is happening? I am leaving comments, and they seem to disappear. I loved these lines, Betty:
winter snaps its coiled whip,
cracks the ice but holds its grip.
It wraps the trees in shiver beads…
and
…spits out seeds
to grace the gardens flocked in sleep…
I’m hoping this posts this time.
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Hi Thomas – sorry you were having trouble posting here. Don’t know what happened, but glad this one came through. There’s nothing in my spam folder so can’t figure out what became of them.
Anyway, thank you very much for the comment! I’m just so glad to have you reading again. It’s time for me to catch up with everyone – heading to your site next.
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I wish you a happy new week.
http://marciento.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/virtual-exhibition-of-photography/
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Your Still Winter churns, turns, whips & grips; snaps, cracks & wraps; chews, spits & waits, without moving an inch; I suppose we have no choice but to wait for Winter to move when it’s good & ready…
Lovely poetry, Betty…
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Oh Lindy, so glad you liked this one! Yes, seems we have to wait a bit for spring – but here in the Pacific Northwest we’ve escaped any severe weather, and I’m feeling nature stir. I feel for those in the midwest and back east though!
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