Cold Like Winter

Death, cold like winter, Storms in swiftly,
Taking away the breath of the one it seeks.
Heartless and unforgiving,
Requiring surrender to the hard glacier ground.

The irony of death in winter is not lost, Even as white breath spills out,
Only to vanish, and then begin again. Reminding, that which drew breath, will again.

I Once Had a Blackbird

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.

~Henry David Thoreau

Read, Just Read

Like no other time of the year,
the
bleak
midwinter
beacons
me
to
read,
just
read.

And to
watch
the
wonderful
BBC
shows that
start to air
on PBS just about now.


Most of which began with a book.

January Thoughts

I am living in a frozen chilly world right now. I am so ready for it to not be winter anymore. That's not going to happen, so instead of mourning the fact, I am going to embrace the frigid land and go with what it has to offer.

One thing I do especially love is to walk in winter.
There is nothing like it - the air is fresh and clean, it's invigorating, and when you are done you feel such warmth.

One thing I have noticed this year especially is what a variety of birds stay to face the winter. If they can do it, so can I. I saw a tan bird today that swept swiftly down towards me, and right after that some blackbirds that made me think of Poe's "The Raven." I should have waited for them to speak their wisdom before fleeing the cold. Next time I will, and for sure I'll be the one wrapped up with a scarf.

Winter is the time for comfort,
for good food and warmth,
for the touch of a friendly hand
and for a talk beside the fire:
it is the time for home.
~Edith Sitwell