is as precious as the new year’s rain
replaced by silent prayers of frost
tempering trees with a white crust
it’s as welcome as a new dawn
of impossible colours, deep sky
washed to breath-taking lucidity
it’s the joy of low winter sun
lighting up a butter-yellow aconite
still clenched fist-tight
it’s the trees’ chill breath
of leaf mulch, pine and bark
and the return of the skylark
flying over rivers surging with rain
its tumbling music back again
Kim M. Russell, 7th February 2023
Image by Jack Blueberry on Unsplash
Ingrid welcomes us to the dVerse Poets Pub Poetics this week – with hidden gifts. She tells us that February is the month of her birthday and, every year at this time, she receives a special gift of ‘snowdrops peeking up through the cold earth, the first flowers of the year, and the promise of spring’s awakening’.
Ingrid would like us to write poems about special gifts we have received at some time in our lives: perhaps a longed-for material possession received without expecting it; an object of particular sentimental value; or perhaps a gift of a spiritual nature. She says that we can interpret this prompt in any way we like, and that we can view it as an exercise in gratitude.
Like Ingrid, without having to look much further than my window, I can always find something for which I am grateful. And I love her choice of poems for inspiration.
writing in north norfolk 
Ah the circle of seasons. Previous gift indeed.
Kim, thanks for dropping by my blog.
Much❤love
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Loving the title of this emotional write! ❤
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Thank you so much Layla!
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The imagery in this poem is so beautiful. Very uplifting.
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Thank you so much Sherry!
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A delightful poem, Kim: I love the sounds you have woven into it! And, of course, I echo your sentiments 🙂
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Thank you, Ingrid. Poetry has been a gift all my life.
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Painters wonder how it’s possible to capture the colours of nature. We have the same problem with words. I admire how well you have succeeded.
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I’m blushing, Jane, Thank you!
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🙂
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Lovely ode to the the next lively poem, Kim, delicate and particular in all the way it comes — especially that “tumbling music”!
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Thank you, Brendan!
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Beautiful poem.
I love aconites 💛
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Thank you, Lesley. I always think of aconites as yellow stars.
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⭐️ 💛
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Nature awakening from its dormant state: you capture it beautifully.
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Thank you Dora!
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The joy of life experienced in nature’s seasonal cycles is astonishing…thanks for expressing it eloquently, Kim!
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Lynn!
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you are very welcome 🙂
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and the return of the skylark
flying over rivers surging with rain
That’s right Kim! Who says winter can be bad! Life returns with birdsongs as before. It is certainly a gift of nature to those who are appreciative. Thoughtful write Ma’am!
Hank
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Thanks Hank!
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So many sumptuous word pairings and phrases that I will not choose favourites. Poetry truly is a gift. Glad I unwrapped this one. 🙂
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Thanks Mish. I’m glad you unwrapped it too.
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You have elaborated on good things Mom Nature brings, every new day, differing season by season, I like every one. I like your rhyme, second and third, I always worry and make a scheme for the first. Don’t worry says my teach. Thank you.
.
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Thank you, Jim, for your comments. I like to play around with rhyme.
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