by Cat Givens
Member since:
November 16, 2005

Music on a Winter's Walk

March 23, 2006 06:11 PM EST
views: 3 | rating: 10/10 (14 votes) | comments: 25
Air crisp and cold
Ice forms in my lungs
I exhale glitter which clinks happily to the ground

Frost and snow cling to my brow and lashes
Albino bimbo with blue lips and a wicked grin
Teeth chatter like old dry bones
Add to clinking percussion of my falling breath

Snow crunches under foot
Cheeks flushed, I scoop nature's treat
Onto my waiting tongue
Delight in the melting texture of perfection

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Clink Clink Clink Clink Clink!
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Comments: 25

Beryl Singleton Bissell Mar 23, 2006, 6:45pm EST
What amazing images. "Clinking percussion of my falling breath" "I exhale Glitter" Are you really laughing in such cold? My teeth are chattering ... clack, clack, clack, clack, clack.
Gisela S. Mar 23, 2006, 6:59pm EST
I have never, ever experience cold so severe it makes breath clink - and I think I'll pass for now....brrrrrrrrr
0000-dashiell5-0000 Mar 23, 2006, 7:03pm EST
Reminds me of those children's book pictures of Jack Frost or the Old North Wind. You know, the way they had the visualized cold air coming out of their mouths, the icy eyebrows and hair, the bluish skin. I would say, "Cool, Cathy!" but it's downright cold. A toast, then! *Clink*
Carol Voigts Mar 23, 2006, 8:05pm EST
A veritable orchestra, all chilled and put on ice. I think all of a winter's orchestra would be percussive or chimes.
I've felt my breath clink, felt the blood rush in my lungs from sheer low temperatures. This was so well put!
Nathan Schauer Mar 23, 2006, 9:21pm EST
Very nicely done. The use of sound here is particularly good. The poem has a bit of ironic under current. Ice is often associated with death and here you turn that upside down. Clever.
jessie voigts Mar 23, 2006, 10:16pm EST
echo, echo. i love it! in MN, in winter, when it is -50 (more below, for the windchill), you wouldn't go outside if you didn't have to, not even to make music. thanks!
Carolyn Madden Mar 24, 2006, 2:05am EST
It's something that happens to 'people in stories' to me .. but you make it feel very real Cathy, and fun!
HGM Moya Goatley Mar 24, 2006, 7:30am EST
Brilliant imagery. I'm dying to see what you will do with Summer!
Cat Givens Mar 24, 2006, 8:16am EST
OH, you guys, it is my sick mind which makes this music of winter weather in the springtime.
The snow began last evening around midnight and is still coming down, now looking like powdered sugar atop the trees and grass......and my poor bare and ready for planting garden!
But it shall reach 40 degrees today, and for me it will be 90 degrees as I work in the greenhouse planting in the little starts which will grace the lawns and gardens of our Portage Lakes area. Oh, speaking of work, I have one more layer to add then I'm out the door. (must dress in layers, as I'll just be in my t-shirt and jeans by the end of the day.... only to pile the layers back on to get to the car!)
Enjoy your day and think spring, everybody! Clink clink!
Laura M. Mar 24, 2006, 11:18am EST
I LOVE this as my first poetry greeting for the day at Gather...makes me feel fresh and invigorated and ALIVE....I was an East coast kid and miss these cold, crisp days where I would burst out the door with no other aims but to last until my nose and cheeks were numb from building igloos and making snow angels until there was no unblessed patch in my yard. Thank you...my favorite line, " exhale glitter which clinks happily to the ground"......absolute delight!
Spiritguided Woman Mar 24, 2006, 11:21am EST
Cathy, such a great job at capturing the moment when the earth is quiet and the air is crisp. There doesn't seem to be any other time that this happens. Enjoy!
Aileen F. Mar 24, 2006, 2:39pm EST
Beautiful imagery, but way too cold!
Captain Ken Pothier Mar 24, 2006, 5:39pm EST
Cathy,
The mix of seasons is upon us. Your reminder in fine poetry will make the warm feel warmer. Last decaying ice is clinging to our cove on the inlet. Open water was suddenly in view last week as the sun rises in the sky. Crocuses are braving the clinky air. Peace!
Stephen Schneider Mar 25, 2006, 1:05am EST
you make me shiver Cathy.
Stuart G. Mar 25, 2006, 7:51am EST
Wonderful imagery.

Walking in a winter wonderful land.

Nice.
Cat Givens Mar 25, 2006, 8:15am EST
Your comments are bringing me miles of smiles!
Igloos, snow angels, the first patch of unfrozen water and the great criscendo of the THAW! Whoo Hoo!
Spencer T. Mar 25, 2006, 8:44am EST
You devilish soul, you. Can feel the crunchiing snow as I took the trip with you. :)
Granny Janny H. Mar 25, 2006, 5:26pm EST
Fantastic Frozen Fantasy! Delightful!
doug drought Mar 26, 2006, 12:22am EST
Nice! Really....really....nice! Damn!
John F Walter Mar 26, 2006, 11:05pm EST
All of your senses are so alive in this poem, Cathy, and your ear is so wonderfully attuned to your icy surroundings, in a humorous self-effacing way. I read this poem over and over to figure out how you made those last lines work so well. I'm smiling with your laughter still!
Kathryn E. Mar 27, 2006, 1:09am EST
Cathy, this is so vivid, it reminds me of winter in Montreal, brutal as that is up there in Canada. Thank you!

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