Ignore the bully and it will go away
snow-topped steps unmarred by children
in protest of winter's stay
no snowmen standing proud and tall
no boots all clumped with snow
no angels painted on the lawn
from tiny bodies on the go
inside; blanket forts
beyond painted brick and lumber,
children settle down
to take their noon-time slumber
tomato soup and warm grilled cheese
story time and books
laughter over silly jokes
give heed to warning looks
coloring and playing checkers
outside; cold's redundant treasure
no attention is paid to that,
which once held so much pleasure
yet still a hopeful bird
calls for spring's release
and across the river
the church bells echo
as if timing winter's fleece
upon it's 1st arrival
we beg winter for it's best
but then in dreary slumber
it stretches past welcomed guest
taking over all our lives
it becomes rude and overbearing
we beg for it to leave
yet it just doesn't seem to be hearing
so we do what we've been taught
ignore the bully and it will go
but what's that outside I see?
MORE freshly fallen snow?!
© Copyright 2011 Christine Maxwell
Bah, humbug to Winter, the bully; hurry up Spring! When I was younger, I just couldn’t understand why so many of the older people left our beautiful New England to move down south. But now I fully understand.
ReplyDeleteYes, Chris, Winter in his dreary slumber stretches past welcomed guest - WAY PAST. He does take over our lives holding us captive to his whims. He is rude and overbearing and I beg for him to leave. I have long ago cried out Uncle to him, but to no avail. He simply ignores my pleas for mercy and keeps on pelting the air with his frosty breath making day after day hostile and uninviting, forbidding me to come forth from my prison cell. Winter is not for me, but for the younger ones who can stand the icy chill, who still have the muscle power to fight the bully called Winter.
the church bells echo
ReplyDeleteas if timing winter's fleece
Time it disappeared, eh?
The nearby church bells were chiming when I snapped this picture!
ReplyDeleteThe story in your Profile is so sad. I am so sorry. I guess you needed courage to write this poem, centered as it is on childhood.
ReplyDeleteLucy thank you it's no so much that it takes courage to remember all the good times with my boys or dream about the "would have been" memories with my Isaiah... it is the coming back from those memories and dreams that takes the true courage. But the pain is less and less as the transition becomes more of the normalcy. Plus I have super duper young men now... who I LOVE to spend time with. I am truly very blessed!
ReplyDeleteOh it does feel like a bully right now. I love the grill cheese and tomatoe soup YUM
ReplyDeleteLovely piece, touching heartstrings... with fondness.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the last dozen lines. They could stand alone as a fine poem...though I also like the references to the church bells and the snow angels and the tomato soup.
ReplyDeleteperfect rhymes, well done magpie.
ReplyDeletesend you love and peace.
keep shining.
Greetings, how are you?
ReplyDeleteWrite a free verse 4 Poets Rally, enjoy poetic friends, you are invited!
Hope to see you in,
Love your poetry talent and looking forward to a profound experience with your input.
Cheers.
xoxox