Winter brought its claws against the glass
and pressed its snout
frozen lips peeled back,
icicle teeth glittering,
closer to me
without clouds
of warming breath
to fog the panes.
To remind me there was still life somewhere
behind the maw…
You, in your uncovered sky
when day is shortest and night longest
whispered
and chided the Winter.
Told it: ‘hold back its claws’
and save the snarl
for darker nights
when the moon fails to rise
and the stars are too distant
to cross space in time.
These months there seems more of you,
dotted and dancing
tumbling over one another
to spell out patterns
I know I must have known once…
I can see Winter at the glass,
nose pressed against mine.
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
The second stanza totally wows me. Indeed, in the cold winter night, it seems as more stars have been created to dispel the dark of winter. Thank you.
Thank you for the lovely comment. I wasn’t too sure about the poem so it’s nice to hear you enjoyed it.
There is a closeness in stars in winter… a burning closeness that is missed otherwise.
Interesting thought.
Oh, I loved this, Carol–the personification of winter is perfect–it’s nose pressed up against the glass–and the nostalgia underlying “you.”
Winter is probably a better time for astronomical observations, the skies are clearer, so there is scientific support for your (and mine) personal observation. I loved your personification of winter as a chilling hound, and the bewilderm ent of spelling out patterns I know I must have known once…
I agree 😀 there is certainly a wow factor in your poem! Beautifully put 😀
To spell out patterns I must have known once… I love these lines! The mystery and sadness about them. Wonderful.
Thank you very much
Wonderful! Winter coming in like a beast!
Indeed. Some years now than others.
More*
I too love that part about patterns ~ Such an enchanting story ~
Thank you.
you have truly mage winter a beastly creature. love the gentleness of the stars
Thank you.
winter in cold countries are just like that, very beastly…the stars are clearer…the poem reads like a myth…so beautiful…
Thank you. I love mythology and the style does find its way into my writing a lot.
Carol, your words evoke many feelings. Great poetry!
Thank you.
This is wonderful…just loved it. You brought out winter’s fierceness with your personification but tamed it with your description of the beautiful stars and the role they play.
Gayle ~
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I want one hundred per cent this poem worked so it’s amazing to hear such wonderful feedback.
This is, quite simply, STUNNING.
This: “Winter brought its claws against the glass”
and that “dotted and dancing.”
This is one of those “I wish I wrote this!” poems.
Thank you. That’s such an amazing compliment to receive.
I could so relate to this as I always feel like winter is clawing at the glass, trying to bring its coldness inside where I am. I so much prefer summer. And where I’m from we don’t have the benefit of the brighter stars in winter because it is so often overcast. It was nice to be reminded that they are there nonetheless. Peace, Linda
Oh, this is nice..a poignant poem that touched my soul.
Stars uS exists
labels
or not..
covered
or
Living
essence
Glows
exists Us Stars..:)
Oh wow!
I should have checked out your blog long time ago. This is amazing!
Thank you.