Monday, December 14, 2015

December Walk



A very old cabin - once a home, now filled throughout with split wood!

A stone cottage I wish I lived in! -
(If you'd like to listen to me read this poem, cursor to the end of this post)

December Walk 

Our winding road threads its way
past time worn and tended,
stones fit snug, wood stacked and stored.

My son races through leaves brown and gray,
past red porch swing, past cattle grazing.

Finds frosted apples upon the ground,
golden cherry tomatoes, overripe,
eyes fast tumbling creek beyond barbwire.

He looks to me for a nod.  Doesn't get it.
It's December and the water is cold.

by Margaret Bednar, December 14, 2015




This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Micro Poetry - In A Grain of Sand"  and write the poem in no more than 10 lines.  I would have liked to give a nod to the link to form poetry but went with free verse as I have very little time on my hands lately.  Homeschooling two children this year, and one of my daughters is in the musical "The Secret Garden" not to mention our most recent move to the NC mountains.  Our whole family will move to the NC mountains once the school year is finished.

We do make plenty of visits to our rental cottage and these images are along the quaint mountain road.  My 8 year old son always notices small, almost hidden things at times.  He even held up a "frosted" piece of grass for me to photograph.  It's not a grain of sand, but it's a blade of grass :)





12 comments:

brudberg said...

There is something so special about those December walks... there is a loneliness... the days are short and to really get out before the sunset is so special.. I recall many such walks in the past.

Debi Swim said...

"He looks to me for a nod. Doesn't get it.
It's December and the water is cold. " Beautiful images throughout this poem and I love the tender ending.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I feel the chill of winter and the warmth of family here.

Outlawyer said...

I went in our pond in the Catskills yesterday--the water was indeed VERY cold and I did not actually swim so much as plunge and shriek--very pretty poem--and lovely kind of break from the flow of description. Good luck with all. k.

Magaly Guerrero said...

Such wonderful images of the dances of the season... and of the familiar interaction of parent and child.

Bekkie Sanchez said...

Thank you for taking me on your journey I felt like I was there walking with you especially with the photos!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Brrr. At least he looked to you first for the nod--I know how boys can be! Really nice wintry images and close in your poem. And the photos are just the right touch to make us feel like we experienced the walk with you!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Very beautiful. I liked this walk. I've often wondered if those frosted apples on the ground are still good. And what a lot of chopped wood in that little cabin!!

Maude Lynn said...

The ending cracked me up! That's a really gorgeous place, Margaret.

Marian said...

Haha, no nod! Love that.
Did I know you are homeschooling? We do, too.

Hannah said...

So much beauty all times of year...I love it when they look for that nod of approval...a very visual poem, Margaret! :)

A Cuban In London said...

Having grown up in a warm country I never thought I could get used to those winter walks. I love them. Thanks. I loved your poem.

Greetings from London.