Early Winter Wood

 

 

A young friend asked me to write a poem "you know, like Frost"

 

 

 

I thought a walk might do me some good,

An hour alone in the early winter wood.

I've never known who owns it, nor care,

In all the years I've not seen him there.

 

Ten acres, perhaps, of towering pine
And a dry stream bed that old oaks line.

Pines pale green, a thin blanket of snow;

Oaks brown and bare as the stream below.

 

One never is really alone in such a place;

Life flourishes here with a natural grace

That hasn't changed since the first bird cried.

And where life abounds, so death must abide.

 

Between pines above and oaks below

A rabbit whose eyes will never again know

The sight of one such as I who intrudes

To find the peace my own life eludes.

 

And there in eyes that will never close

I see all that it was, and where life goes.

I bury it there where the stream will flow

And pines lay a wreath of needles and snow.





Poetry by countryfog
Read 612 times
Written on 2012-12-11 at 18:11

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Kee Zealy The PoetBay support member heart!
Eyes that remember, have seen woods in early winter, and while those tell some of the story of life and death, nature has taken its path in those peaceful woods, where you were meant to write the epitaph of a forest creature buried by human hands.
2012-12-26


Lilly Negoi
bowing down in front of your mastery :) Frost or no Frost, the outcome is outstanding :)
2012-12-12



It's as though you were channeling the ghost of Frost himself. If this had been unsigned, I would have guessed either Frost or maybe some of the better Longfellow or Whittier.

Like Frost, the sheer song-like movement and rhyme of the poem allow us to read it on two levels, missing the theme and message if not paying attention.

Good work.

William
2012-12-12



This seems effortless, which is meant as a compliment. In fact, it seems very complementary to your non-rhyming poems.
2012-12-11


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Well done, Fog. I don't recall having read a rhyming poem from you before, but, clearly, you're capable of writing a fine one.
2012-12-11


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
Beautifully done! There was no sacrifice of content or awkwardness in syntax to accommodate the rhyme. Again beautifully done.
2012-12-11



I trust this excellent piece met with your young friend's approval, countryfog.
I doubt I have read sufficient of Frost to appreciate fully this poem within its wider setting. Other poets may provide more enlightened comment here. However, I admire form and content greatly; and what is more, I felt your experience in the woods, through your talent for description.
Applaudeth.
2012-12-11