Today is Poetry Friday. If you want to know more about what that entails, check here. Karen Edmisten is our host for the roundup this week. You can go to her same-named blog to read more great poetry from participants that are sharing their links.
Overnight we got twelve inches of snow. When we woke up this morning, it looked like a marshmallow world! That song, “It’s a marshmallow world in the winter,” is one of my favorite holiday songs. Here’s a YouTube rendition if you aren’t familiar with it.
It took about three hours for my husband to dig us out and that included a visit from our neighbor with his huge John Deer plow. After lunch, we took a walk in the wonderland and it amazed me to see how the different species of trees handled the snow. It was wet, heavy snow that clung tightly to the branches and needles. Many limbs were bowing under the weight of the precipitation.
I was inspired by the beauty of the snow and how the trees were all handling it.
How a Birch Wears Snow I’m tall and slender With white bark that Peals. My leaves have fallen, Leaving me barren and Cold. In the winter, I am swayed Easily by the wind and Snow. When the snow comes fast And is wet and heavy, I Bend. Dipping my highest branches Low to the ground, laden by Weight. It appears as if I’m bowing. But I’m not. My stiff limbs Hurt. The snow piles up on me Making my limbs and twigs Fragile. I hope I don’t succumb To the extra wet weight and Break. Spring will come if I survive The winter storms and Cold. I’ll make catkins to Spread my seed, blown by the Wind. Just like the snow has Covered me Now. I’ll cover the ground with My precious seeds and Grow. New birch for new seasons Of growth after snow has bent Me. © Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, 2022 I imagine more poems about how the different species of trees handle the weight of the snow. My photos are inspiring me to pay homage to the trees in this way.
Enjoy this Friday. Stay Healthy and Safe.
Happy Holidays to All!
~ Carol ~
The Apples in My Orchard 
Beautiful images and beautiful words to fit them, Carol. We are enjoying 5 feet of new snow received last weekend and I recognize those tired trees.
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Thank you Patricia. It’s been beautiful here, as I’m sure it is there with 5 feet of snow! I do feel for the trees thought! Happy Holidays!
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I am mildly jealous of your 12 inches. Mildly. Not jealous of the digging out. We got a skiff last night. That’s enough for now. I do love the poem and the accompanying video of “tree-branch-rescue.”
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LOL. Mildly jealous! I like that. Yeah, I cannot complain about the digging out as my husband does it. He spent quite awhile each day for the last several days digging things out. But, the dog keeps him company outside. Glad you liked the post! Happy Holidays!
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Wow! We never see that kind of snow. So amazing! I love how your husband was “saving the trees” in the video. Your poem form is just right.
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Thanks for the kind words, Margaret! I love the snow (for the most part). Happy Holidays to you!
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Beautiful pictures! We have not had any snow here yet. Maybe this coming Friday will be the day! I love how you wrote your poem in the voice of the birch tree. Keep warm. Happy holidays!
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Thanks, Linda! I love a Christmas snow! I hope you get some! Thanks for reading and for your kind words about the poem. Happy Holidays!
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“One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.” Thank you for the pictures and the poem. It’s amazing to me how trees adapt to the conditions under which they exist!
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Thanks, Tim! So good to hear from you! Trees are amazing! I love them! Hey, I got a message I couldn’t read your blog anymore unless I have a password. Can you share that with me? If so, you can use the contact page to message it or send an email to me (I think you have it). Happy Holidays to you!
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What a beautiful snowfall! I love your images, both photographic and poetic. I have always been fascinated by how the birch bows under the weight of the snow, and by how that echoes into the warmth of summer when you see the enduring curve–lasting evidence of past winter storms. Lovely post!
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Thank you so much Molly!
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Thanks for sharing all this! We haven’t had a flake yet and I am craving it a little bit–but glad for clear paths for moving. I love the way you structured your poem with the final word of each stanza sitting all by itself, and the voice of the birch. Enjoy–I think a foot is the best amount of snow!
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Thank you, Heidi! I want to do a few more with different trees using the same form. I think it fits too! I appreciate your kind words.
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What gorgeous photos. Thanks for these, and for your homage to the trees as they bear so much weight. We haven’t had one of those huge snows yet, but winter has just begun, right? 🙂
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Thanks, Karen! The branches are still covered! Usually with a snow like this, it is gone as quick as it came – not this time. I am really enjoying the beauty!
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