It's Poetry Friday, and Laura Purdie Salas is hosting HERE at her blog. Be sure to stop by to see her two new adorable board books, which are coming very soon! Thanks for hosting, Laura!
First, another thank you for the special postcards from many of you. They certainly warmed my heart during our cold, cold days!
💖There are cards from Margaret Simon, Molly Hogan, Mary Lee Hahn, Mona Voelkel, Joyce Uglow, Jone Rush Macculloch, Robyn Hood Black, Gail Aldous, Tabatha Yeatts Lonske, Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Patricia Franz, and one new poem from Carol Varsalona.
Yes, winter has returned. It was 14 degrees below zero Tuesday night, rose to 21 the next day. I know that for Denver, it's not unusual, but I noticed places in the south were also very cold. I hope all of you made it through okay! My Texas son and family were fine, but they've told me some in their town have no heat, using only space heaters sometimes.
it's a slippery go
of cold and snow
a minuet
winter does not forget
cooldown at sundown
bring out the eiderdown
now a cup of tea
ah-h-h,
sweetened by me
glee!
Linda Baie ©
I also want to share an older book found at the used bookstore where I volunteer, a poem loved, and illustrated by Susan Jeffers, published in 1978, re-issued in 2001. It certainly seems fitting for this week's wintry days! Susan illustrated many others, winning a Caldecott Honor for Three Jovial Huntsmen, then another favorite of mine, a beautiful book of the story, Hansel and Gretel. She also illustrated Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, another gorgeous book and more! Susan passed away just a few years ago.
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Here's a link to seeing the book read so you can love "seeing" the poem through Susan's imagination, boldly shown in her art. "Her" woodsman stopped once to play in the snow and made a snow angel! I hope you enjoy it!
I love "cooldown at sundown." It's eiderdown weather here in Wisconsin, too,! Lucky for us, a warmup is in the forecast. Stay cozy!
ReplyDeleteBrrrrrrr! It's been really cold here too, so your post really resonates. Thanks for the Frost reading; I love Jeffers's art! Also liked the "cooldown at sundown" and the way your poem ended with a cup of tea "sweetened by me -- glee!" :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn and Jama! The weather people really goofed in the forecast last night. We had more than 6 inches of snow unlike their prediction of 1 to 2. But it's already melting fast, and just as I wrote, that's February! I'm glad to have found Susan Jeffers' lovely book to share! Her art is special!
ReplyDeleteI love the opening and unexpected first line--that word "go" is brilliant! Thanks, Linda! Enjoy the winter--I am too!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I was drinking tea as I read your poem! How is that for synchronicity? I loved the poem, and hope to improve my attitude about the winter, which is certainly not going anywhere at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura & Susan, being inside because of a storm made some nice time to write about our winter changes!
ReplyDeleteTrying to get my head around 14degrees below freezing, Linda. Unheard of down under. I did experience similar conditions living in NYC. I love the words-'bring out the eiderdown' in your poem. Now that's a statement.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan! It's just what is expected; sometimes that temp never happens & often, we'll have one cold wave. I just worry about those who are homeless & trying to find help.
DeleteLovely poem-book by Frost and snowy images by Susan Jeffers, fun big owl in there! And Fun poem by you Linda, thanks for all! 😊 ❄️
ReplyDelete-14 is just something I cannot fathom! Brrrr!!!! I used to use the Frost/Jeffers picture book when I taught LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech. She references the Frost poem, so I used to read the illustrated version to them as well.
ReplyDeleteI love those Creech books, so thanks for telling me this book was in 'Love That Dog", Marcie.
Delete"bring out the eiderdown" makes the poem for me. I'm enjoying the video with the gorgeous illustrations and bells ringing by the reader. This is such a beautiful poem and one that pulled me hard into the world of poetry. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely book, I agree, Linda, and for us this week!
DeleteWhat a wonderful winter poem, Linda! I love your clever use of "minuet" and "eiderdown". I've been vacationing in New Orleans and the cold certainly came along with us from Maine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly, So many were shocked at that cold from the north.
DeleteLinda, we've had the same extremes here in Nebraska — subzero lows all week, and suddenly, today, we're on an upward zoom into spring-like temps. I loved "a minuet/winter does not forget" and I've been cheered by tea often in these last weeks. :) I adore the work of Susan Jeffers. Thank you for that link!
ReplyDeleteThe wordplay in your poem is delightful. It feels like a winter poem and flows beautifully. The weather here has been so cold with high winds and lots of snowy days. I think we were spoiled by the mild winters over the past few years. This week, we're expecting temps in the 50's, but by the weekend more snow if expected, but spring is near!
ReplyDeleteOops! My name didn't appear with my comment. : )
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for sharing the link to Susan Jeffers' reading. I not only love Frost's poem but the illustrations Susan provided are gorgeous. I am so glad that my postcard finally arrived with its card. The postcards are such an appealing array of poetic goodness. It is cold here and all the snow melted. We have been inside most of the time (because my husband is very ill and home from the hospital).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen, Linda, & Carol. I guess winter is not ready to let go. I'm glad you all enjoyed the Jeffers' book & my poem!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful poem, Linda. Lovely pacing, whisking us through - to a joyful finish. (Minus 14 degrees is ... freezing cold!!!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to hear the Frost poem read and to admire Jeffers' Art! Thank you, Linda. Out my window is plenty of snow. I always like seeing what you find at your book store.
ReplyDeleteLinda, that was a lovely way to listen to Frost's poem. I like the bits of color on each page. Today your snow and cold are gone temporarily. I'm sure the Rocky Mountain cold-warm spring won't be finished. Your poem's rhyming is just precious! I like the coming indoors for a cup of tea ending.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kat, Janice, & Denise! Our weather continues to amaze us all! It's 65 here today. I've been outside enjoying every bit!
ReplyDeleteThankfully it's warmed up in my area, because our homes are not designed for the cold!! It's 50F here today, nice and balmy!! Spring is on its way!
ReplyDeleteOhio is warming up a bit -- we've had the same whiplash of temperatures, but I think you got more snow. But you need it more, so good for you! I had that Susan Jeffers book in my classroom!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are still warmer through the weekend, then winter's returning! It's expected in March, but spring will be here soon! Thanks, Jane and Mary Lee!
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