January is the month of grey nuances,
banks of cloud rarely broken by sun dances,
mornings when light creeps slowly
in a shadowy wrangle with the unholy
darkness of a moonless, starless night.
The light of grey is never bright,
but in a corner of the charcoal grey
a flash of snowdrops greets the new day.
Kim M. Russell, 5th January 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United Writers’ Pantry #1: Home Is People
What a surprise to get up this morning to a new home and name for Poets United! And what a relief to know that we will continue to have three features a week: Writers’ Pantry (open link) on Sundays, Weekly Scribblings (a prompt) on Wednesdays, and Wild Fridays (random features for word lovers).
Magaly’s our host for the first Writers’ Pantry of the new year and she invites us to add our direct links to poems, stories or articles (new or old) of our choosing. I’ve decided to start with a new poem for a dreary new year.
writing in north norfolk 
Well captured & nicely crafted, KR. Salute!
(Too dark here, at the moment, but the gray is coming. Thanks for reminding me to pay more attention to the flashy snowflakes!)
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Thank you, Ron.
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Here I am in Australia with our hot summer burning the trees and scrub away thinking that a sudden snowstorm might give the fire fighters all over our land a break! Mindyou a few cms (inches) of rain would help.
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I would love to send you some of ours, Robin.
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How exquisitely lovely, Kim! I always love the way you write of nature, and this one has given me some respite from the extreme weather events around us here.
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Thank you, Rosemary. I’m praying for rain to come your way.
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I love that snowdrop peaking out – a little light in the grey
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Thank you, Jae.
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Always something to be said for starting off on the right foot! This is sweet and vibrant, just what we all need leaving the last year behind.
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Thank you, Brendan.
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The sight of new snowdrops must bring joy to the heart.
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It does, Kerry.
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Grey is definitely the word of the year so far. (K)
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Not a spot of blue here, Kerfe.
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Snowdrops! Little signs of hope in winter’s bleakness. How welcome they are!
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I clapped my hands when I spotted them!
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Grey days my end of the country too Kim – but not so bad if you stay inside, out of the oft bitter cold.
The snowdrops are a lovely welcome sight although I have not seen any yet. The grape hyacinths have broken through and the rate of growth is tremendous and two daffodil bulbs have also begun to sprout. Colour will be here soon!
Anna :o]
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I’m keeping a close eye on my garden. We have only snowdrops, so I’m hoping for daffodils too, Anna!
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And that blooming flash makes all the rest bearable, doesn’t it? Mostly because it has to. And because we make it so.
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I went for a walk in the woods this afternoon and enjoyed the company of trees. No snowdrops there, but in my garden…
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This is absolutely stunning, Kim! ❤️ I love; “The light of grey is never bright, but in a corner of the charcoal grey.” 😀
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Thank you, Sanaa!😊
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January well captured! It is indeed, a month of grey nuances. But remember, sunshine always lurks somewhere in the background!
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Thank you, Khaya!
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The grey of January will likely continue into February. The Hope of March remains, though! Thanks for sharing this visual, Kim. I’ve seen those snowdrops as well.
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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I live in Texas so our gray comes in rain and fog. Our winters here are seldom harsh unless rain takes over.
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Texas is bigger than the UK and we have such a variety of weather here. I couldn’t bear the heat you get.
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Kim, this is beautiful – and so relatable here in BC’s winter. Your phrasing and imagery held me spell-bound. I especially like “light creeps slowly in a shadowy wrangle with the unholy darkness…”. Really lovely.
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Thanks so much!
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I never see snowdrops here, but they are so lovely and look so fragile. A beautiful new poem for what I hope to be a lovely year filled with all good things.
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Thank you, Linda.
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Sweet and lovely poem. A great way to express hope within darkness. A snowflake can do that.
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Thank you, Myrna.
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Beautifully descriptive, Kim. I can’t wait for Spring!
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Thank you, Viv. I’m constantly looking for signs of spring.
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Sigh 😔
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Lovely, Kim. We are a ways away from snowdrops here, but it is mild and sunny here on the West Coast so we cant complain. Snowdrops will come soon enough. I love those first blooms.
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Thank you, Sherry. Snowdrops are special.
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Oh the positive note is refreshing in the end, else this has just been 50 shades of grey despair so far this year.
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Oh the positive note is refreshing in the end, else this has just been 50 shades of grey despair so far this year.
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Ever the optimist!
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The sight of snowdrops always makes me feel hopeful. And when they are spotted on days when the new born sun is feeling more energetic than usual, it’s enough to warm me in spite of January winds.
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😊
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Snow drops. The whole poem seeks a nod to the first hint of spring.
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Thank you, Margaret.
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