This week, I am highlighting contrasts. As I sit at my desk, it is -26 degrees F. The real feel temperature is -35. We are experiencing extreme cold in Northern Wisconsin while much of the country braces for ice, wind, and snow.
Our heaters are running full blast, and our pellet stove is on high. The windows are iced over near the base, and you can occasionally hear the trees crack, as they react to the frigid temperatures.
What’s the contrast, you might ask?
In just a few more days, we’ll be in the United States Virgin Islands for our annual winter escape trip. It’s been 80 degrees where we go and sunny. From -26 to 80 degrees is a wide contrast of temperatures.
Instead of bundling up and stepping carefully on icy cement, we’ll be donning shorts, bathing suits, and dipping our toes into warm Caribbean waters. It’s surreal when this happens on the first day.
The AC will be running instead of the heat, and occasionally, we’ll turn it off to open the windows and feel the breeze coming off the beach.
We’ll be driving on the left instead of the right, but still being careful, as if we were driving on ice. Roads are narrow and winding on the islands, and taking one’s time is imperative.
These are the contrasts that will soon appear in my life. Perhaps, I’ll work more on a poem of my contrasting observations.
Poetry news
I was disappointed not to have one of my poems selected for the upcoming body parts issue from Little Thoughts Press. Apparently, they “loved” my work but decided not to use it “at this time.” The rejections get very tiresome and depressing.
I have other submissions out there, and can only hope that I’ll have one of my poems selected.
In some more optimistic news, as I did my end-of-year finances, I found that two of my poetry books (see on my home page, with links to Amazon) sold in December. This observation made me feel good.
I also took a sample of the Picture Perfect Poetry anthology book to the gift boutique where I have jewelry being carried in to see if they’d like to carry the book. You never know, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Finally, a publication I write for on Medium asked participants to write a poem on the color white. I had done this years ago, so it gave me a chance to get it out and edit it.
White
White is a marshmallow,
all soft and chewy.
White is a cloud,
wispy and bright, never being loud.
Shape changing forms against a blue sky,
like cotton balls made to fly.
White is a snowfall, blinding at night,
you trip over a snowman who gives you a fright.
Visions of ghosts at Halloween and skeletons too,
working to hatch a brilliant scheme for you.
You cannot go wrong with white,
for it matches, matches, everything in sight!
White is the color of a new cotton dress,
or the old eyelet hankies that need a good press.
White is a new, unblemished softball,
and home plate, where all runners seem to fall.
A baby's new Christening blanket, velvety and sweet,
makes me think of the smooth chiclet gum, I like to eat.
White carnations in the happy groom’s tuxedo,
is something to celebrate before he jumps in the lido.
White is the smell of a peppermint box,
freshening all who partake after lox.
Easter lilies adorning the alter anew,
white is a witness for all good and true.
White are holiday lights, all lining the street,
or the dress of a bride who's waiting to meet.
Band shoes, sneakers, and pearls all shiny and new,
white, always tidy, and never askew.
Some might not consider it a color at all,
but white works best when no others come to call.
White is a birthday candle on top of a cake,
with fluffy white icing that is a delight to make.
Nurses, lilies, whipped cream, and more,
white is a color that should never bore.
Welcome the color white to your world like no other,
it won’t fail you, only accent and lighten, never smother.
© Draft, Carol Labuzzetta, 2016. Revised 2026
But, more than the poem, I’d like to share how my color poems came to be. For that story, you’ll have to go to my Medium post (Click Here for the Friend Link.)
Other WsIP for Vacation
On vacation, I hope to be inspired to write some poetry. But I am going to dedicate some of my writing time to finishing my adult mystery novel. I’m nearly at the climax, 33,000 words in, and would like to have at least 50,000 words by the time I come home. It’s doable. I’ll just have to make time for it.
Today’s Poetry Friday host is Tabatha Yeatts at her blog, The Opposite of Indifference. Thanks for hosting Tabatha, and for your beautiful New Year’s Poetry Exchange.
If you want to know more about Poetry Friday, check here.
Lastly, my blog is a mess as I undergo a change in theme. I am having difficulty setting up the pages with the template I chose, so I hope you bear with me as I sort it out. Thanks.
See you in late February!
The Apples in My Orchard 
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