On a moist and mizzling day,
my skin is pearled with gossamer
mist, eyes wide with the expanse of grey
above me, dotted with a scattering
of distant birds. There is only emptiness
and portents of winter in the yawning sky,
and the days seem filled with loneliness.
But when evening comes
and the cloud is gone,
I am surprised by a blaze
of stars, a sliver of silver moon,
and the sparkle of November
frost makes the sky seem brighter;
filled with hope, my heart is lighter.
Kim M. Russell, 18th November 2018
My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Wordy Saturday with Wild Woman: the places that heal us, also linked to earthweal open link weekend #45
Sherry is our host this weekend and she introduces her prompt with ‘A Poem on Hope’ by Wendell Berry. Sherry says that, in these gloomy times when it is difficult to hold onto hope, this poem speaks to use about what is solid beneath our feet, which is why she would like us to write poems about the places we love, that heal us, that call to us and wrap their arms around us; the places we go to replenish our stores of hope.
writing in north norfolk 
Such beautiful words and a sense of wonder at the night sky. I love your word sizzling.
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Thank you! Mizzle is a British expression that means to rain in a fine misty drizzle. It’s one of my favourite words for rain..
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The septets providing two viewpoints is so clever, making the switch to the peace and serenity even more comforting. It’s good to know that we both looked to the moon for this place/space! 🙂
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Thank you, Anmol! 🙂
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Hey! I learned a new word today! Mizzling.
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🙂
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A sky full of a hope magnified by beauty.
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Thank you, Brendan.
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I find that when the sky clears it usually gets so cold… beautiful but harsh…
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That’s exactly what’s happening here right now – and I’ve got a rotten cold!
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I cant think of anything more peaceful or uplifting than the night sky. Beautiful, Kim!
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Thank you, Sherry!
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Moon and stars- so lovely Kim.
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Cheers Linda!
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So beautiful… I love the hope in a star filled sky.
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Thank you so much, Susie!
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This poem makes me feel like I do when, after walking out in the grey of November, heading homeward, I smell the wonderful scent of woodsmoke on the air, and look forward to going into my lighted rooms, and warmth and coziness. Lovely. I loved being reminded of those wonderful days when I was doing prompts at Real Toads. I do miss Toads!
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Thank you, Sherry! I miss Toads too.
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I really enjoyed this, Kim. The skies around here were so clear this early morning I went out on the balcony to take a look and it was breathtaking. The winter certainly gives us a clarity of light and cause for hope even in these dark times!
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Thanks Ingrid. My new medication has made me so sleepy I’ve been waking later than normal and missing the lovely skies.
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What a beautiful poem. I felt your joy at seeing the stars
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Thank you, Suzanne!
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There is a weary trudge toward winter, yet somehow if we accept its rigors there are beautiful epiphanies swaddled in such cold. Beyond the freezing cloud cover, a shimmer of heaven. Amen.
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Thanks Brendan.
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