Leaden-grey winter days are brightened by hawthorn's scarlet berries, a migrant firecrest and a robin’s breast as warming as a hot water bottle. They are talismans against the coming cold, summoning magical Yule, glowing reminders that the old year will soon become the new.
Kim M. Russell, 28th November 2022
Image by Chris23 on Unsplash
Lisa gives us a warm welcome to this Monday’s Quadrille at the dVerse Poets Pub, where we and our muses are prompted to write a quadrille, our poetic form of just 44 words (not counting the title), which includes one word provided by our host.
Lisa describes her back yard with its ‘grey of pear tree twigs, washed-out brown standing stalks, and bright white covering the ground… Not a sign of warmth in sight’. I love the way she describes her cats as ‘curled in tight donuts’! She reminds us that while we in Northern climates crunch into winter, those in Southern climates are crunching out of it and into summer. She paints a picture of cool nights huddled by a bonfire and sipping hot cocoa, which leads to our prompt word: warm.
I enjoyed the poems Lisa gave by Frank Ormsby (by the way there is a place along the coast from us called Ormsby), Kathy Engel, Donal Heffernan and Ama Ata Aidoo.
writing in north norfolk 
I love the wonderful promise in those few splashes of color. Thank you for the reminder
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad they’ve lifted your spirit a little, Björn. I will feel more warmth and cheer when I arrive at my daughter’s on Thursday and cuddle up to my grandsons. 🙂
LikeLike
Kim, I love the idea of red berries and red birds being talismans against the cold. They do look like tiny flames of warmth and hope ❤ That's such a cute little bird!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
those scarlet berries really jump out at me from this. loved the image
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rog!
LikeLike
The beautiful cycle of life where seasons change at just the right time for us to be ready for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve had so many robins in the garden recently, it must be a sign of something. I just hope it’s not snow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice one. Is this the puente form?
much💜love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gillena. I’m not sure if it is a puente; it just came out like that!😀
LikeLike
Bird breasts and bright red berries…none of it matters; I will NEVER be ready for winter, which is closing in quickly here. Brrr…
But thanks for the cool work, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and commenting, Ron!
LikeLike
It’s the little things like the robin’s breast and red berries that can warm a poet’s eyes, enjoyed this, Kim!! 👏👏🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tricia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Kim! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
“as warming as a hot water bottle.” LOVE that line set apart like that….referring to the referring to the scarlet berries, firecrest and robin’s breast…..and those in the midst of “leaden grey winter days” —- imagry is just wonderful here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lill!
LikeLike
It will! before we know it. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scarlet berries and robin’s breast – hues that warm the heart. There are no robins here but, I did see a cardinal or two. They remain here all year round.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to see a cardinal; we don’t get them over here.
LikeLike
oh perfect Kim
“a migrant firecrest
and a robin’s breast”
not to mention redwings here now
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura. I haven’t seen any redwings. I was very pleased to see four pairs of swans today
LikeLike
Talisman is just the right word.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the robin and yes now you say it – they do give you that feeling of warmth like a hot water bottle 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you think so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the idea of talisman against winter weather. Nice poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
A poem that’s so uplifting! Thank-you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susan!
LikeLike
The hot water bottle…Is there anything better when your tummy aches? Love how you highlighted that image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by to read and comment!
LikeLike
These are truly small comforts and absolutely lovely ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLike
Love those splashes of bright colours that warm grey days! Lovely as ever, Kim.
(And we both used ‘talisman! 🙂)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Punam!
LikeLike