Saturday 21 December 2013

SNOW; IT HAPPENS UP HERE

The snow 
covers the earth
under a soft, white
quilt,
flake, by flake,
by flake,
persistently,
but with no rush.
Each flake
a tiny piece of creativity
unlike it's neighbour,
yet similar enough 
that they form 
first a tiny skiff,
then a fine line, 
then, almost without notice,
they pile 
one on top of the other
until they are shoe high,
boot high,
perhaps knee high.

The trees,
branches outstretched,
capture what they can
as it floats by them.

The chickadees
and nuthatches
pay little attention.
They know where the feeders are —
the feeders that are refilled
regularly,
mysteriously,
so there is always 
enough.

The puppies 
cavort and frolic
in this new experience.
The older dogs
take note, 
but when their needs are met,
snooze again, 
inside,
before the fireplace, 
dreaming of soft green grass
and a thousand summer smells
that have
temporarily 
vanished.

It is the humans
who fret 
of impassible lanes and streets
of snow-cluttered sidewalks.
Soon enough
they will don their winter vestments
and travel to 
their office tower
or single-storied shop,
or perhaps,
with shovel in hand,
ease the cover 
over to the sidewalk's edge
so others may pass.

Only a few,
perhaps with camera in hand,
will marvel at the scene
with a relaxed cup of cocoa
and an eye
for the
artistry. 


~ Bear ~

48 comments:

  1. Oh Rob-Bear you are a genius with words this was very beautiful. Have a wonderful holiday in the snow.It is freezing rain her on top of the snow:) B

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    1. Thanks, Buttons! I hope you have a safe sand wonderful holiday, despite the weather.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

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    1. Welcome to my poetry and thanks for the comment, sara.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  3. I come to your blog via Magic Love Crow. I like your poem about snow – unfortunately we don’t get much here. I can’t remember how many words there are for snow in Russian, but I read that there are at least 50 in the Eskimo language. I also saw some pictures of snowflakes – just outstanding, delicate as crystal jewels.

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    1. Ah, thank you so much for dropping by.

      I was aware that there are a lot of words for "snow" in Inuit. But then, when your life depends on snow, there are numerous types of snow which need to understood. Just as there are many different kinds of dogs, with remarkably different temperaments.

      Isn't snow so intriguing? As you say, so very delicate. But when gathered together, able to support a car (for good or ill).

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  4. I love that the dogs dream of summer smells.

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    1. Well, I'm just guessing Lisa, but it seems at least reasonable enough.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  5. Beautiful perspective on snowy weather, creative bears know how to write!

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    1. That's very kind, Helen. Thank you! I've got very good teachers — like you.

      Merry Christmas. Blessings and poetic Bear hugs!

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  6. This is really lovely. I love the last stanza—it's a perfect reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks, Dana. Yes; slowing down and enjoying the surroundings is wonderful!

      Christmas blessings and Bear hugs!

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  7. I think more people would enjoy the quiet time winter snows afford if only they weren't forced outside to drive and work.

    It's a lovely poem about peace, my friend.

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    1. Oh, susan, you are so right! Thanks for your kind thoughts, too.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  8. Ive so been looking forward to a poem my friend, and you do not disappoint. I am happy to be one of the few with camera in hand...nothing like the quiet after or during the snow fall. If a sound can be captured on film it's that one. Happy Christmas and New Year, Mr. Bear! Im so glad to have met you this year and will look forward to the next! me and the caniche

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Zoe! Yes, I can see you, camera in hand, caniche at your side, out there in the snow. (We're getting a huge dump as I write. Very Canadian, eh?.) The "sound captured on film" bit is a fascinating image. Thanks for sharing it! It's great to have you as a friend!

      Christmas blessings, Bear hugs, and wonderful wishes for the new year! (Or, as the Bunnies around your place mitt say, "Have a Hoppy New Year!"

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  9. Yours is the perfect snowy winter poem, with even that hint of green grass that will return in time for the old dogs and lovers of summer (summer lovers). What a beautiful scene this painted, as delicately and slowly as each snowflake described.

    Just read this one hour past Christmas, but still in the mood to wish you a Merry Christmas, dear Bear.

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    1. Thanks for your kind observations, Lydia. But I've got good teachers — people like you.

      Christmas blessings and Bear hugs!

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    2. Aw, just read this reply. You are way too kind, and ever-so humble, dear Bear.

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  10. I guess you and I are more like the old dogs than the pups.

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    1. I guess we are. I can sit by the fire and read, or snooze, just about any time, especially after I've been out shovelling snow. We get snow almost every day but so far it hasn't added up to too much. But January and February may be different stories.

      Happy New Year!

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    2. I only spent two years living in a place where snow had to be shoveled, and I miss it in that it was good exercise. I envy your ability to even pull it off right now since I can't lift more than five pounds or bend over. Try exercising with those restrictions.

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    3. Oh, dear! That is a terribly restricted life. Yet, if I remember rightly, you went camping this past summer. Or was that the summer before? In any case, do take care!

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    4. "Yet, if I remember rightly, you went camping this past summer."


      Well, I didn't break my back until November 30.

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    5. Oops. That was when Bear was fighting off pneumonia. I missed lots memos around then.

      Sorry!

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  11. "An eye for the artistry" I like that phrase... a lot.
    What would life be like without that "eye" and all the creatures you speak of? It would be boring. Even a little snow gives pleasure here and there.

    Wonderful poem.

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    1. Glad you like that thought, Anita. Borrow it sometime if you need it.

      And boring is no way to live life! Not with all the possibilities available.

      Blessings and Bear hugs.

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  12. "SNOW; IT HAPPENS UP HERE"

    Which is one reason I'm DOWN HERE. Of course, this is one winter when we're not even getting snow in the mountains.

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    1. NO snow? Sad. How is January 2015 turning out, Snowbrush?

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    2. I'm still in pain and always will be, but I'm also facing the possibility of major back surgery. As for the weather, the ski lodges are going broke in the mountains, and here in the Valley, the grass is growing, and crocuses and daffodils are starting to appear.

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    3. Sounds like b ad news for everyone. Really sorry to hear that, especially for you.

      Please take care!

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  13. Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy. Thanks for saying so.

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  14. This is so beautiful Bear.
    Only just found you hear, I have been missing out!

    S x

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    1. I'll try to make your visiting worthwhile!

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  15. Ah, my illustrious bear-type friend. Such wondrous words doth you write. I love lucid writing and delighted with such twee.

    Be well and stay warm.

    Gary

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving such a nice note. I want to spend more time on my poetry this year, so I elect to return here often.

      Peace and joy!

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  16. We get snow almost every day but so far it hasn't added up to too much. But January and February may be different stories.
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    1. Well, I hope you get the snow you deserve.

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  17. We had snow a couple of years back here in Kathmandu. We anticipate for snowfall every year, but the anticipation never substantiate.
    And i wanna do the same as you mentioned in the last lines :)

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a note. I hope you get to relax with the snow. Digging out can wait for an hour to two. Some things just need to be enjoyed when they are happening

      Blesings and Bear hugs!

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  18. I'm in Minnesota and we have had one snowy winter! Glad to be following you and looking forward to more of your posts.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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    1. Welcome to my blog, and thanks for leaving a note. I'm trying to spend more time on my poetry while writing a book.

      Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  19. A beautiful description of the winter snow:)

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    1. I suppose that I've lived with it long enough that I've learned to appreciate it for all its beauty.

      Blessings and Bear hugs, Vandana!

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