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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2000-01-07 07:12 AM


A Winter Sestina

What wonders are there in a winter's day
That I would so desire to walk the cold
To witness creature's print in crystal snow
And little birds put on a lively show
They image life in beauty and in bold
And only God could such a scene portray

In playfulness the winter birds portray
A shadowgraph against the white of day
They light on barren twig and swing in bold
And feed uninterrupted by the cold
The blackbird does a sprightly dance to show
His sihouetted wing against the snow

The wind blows icy bits from crest of snow
Which in the gleam of winter sun portray
A sparkling fairy dust in radiant show
And gusty wind of January day
Then brushes glassy crystals icy cold
Against my face as I plod sure and bold

But I am not the brazen or the bold
To seek and to confront such bitter snow
And weather gusts of January cold
But rather in the splendor they portray
Just one who welcomes nature's wicked day
To marvel at the magic crystal show

And in the nearby woods the creatures show
Their beauty and their grace in gestures bold
The white tailed deer in forage of the day
Leave footprints in their wanderings in the snow
A high and noble posture they portray
Confronting bleak horizons of the cold

What madness is this walking in the cold
To witness Cardinal putting on a show
In quiet amphitheater they portray
A loveliness, and I in numbing bold
Stand still and watch performances in snow
The wonders that are in a winter's day

I brave the winter cold in footsteps hard and bold
To witness God's grand show in wonderland of snow
No other could portray the glories of this day

Elizabeth Santos


© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 2000-01-07 08:11 AM


Oh Liz - this is truly beautiful - capturing winter with ease - such ease it has brought a chill to my mild summer night here!

Wonderful - a shadowgraph against the white of day. Wow.

K

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2000-01-07 09:19 AM


Kamla,
Look at Balladeer's description of a sestina in reponse to the "colors of Januaty" poem . I'm not sure this is right
Thank you for those lovely comments
Liz

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
3 posted 2000-01-07 09:40 AM


Elizabeth,
I don't know how you do it, but you did it.
A wonderful sestina. You are a wonderful and prolific writer. I have never tried one myself but I am content with yours. LOve Sy

whiskey
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 1999-12-28
Posts 1278
Australia
4 posted 2000-01-07 09:41 AM


Liz, This is wonderful a beutiful picture you've painted in my mind  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
5 posted 2000-01-07 09:46 AM


Sy
You made my day!
I wasn't sure if it was right
Thank you, dear poet
Liz

Whiskey
Thank you so much

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

6 posted 2000-01-07 10:15 AM


Ah, Elizabeth, this is truly a work of art! Magnificent! What a masterpiece you have created! The grate on your patience was well worth the resulting treasure! Very well done!


 Denise


Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
7 posted 2000-01-07 10:24 AM


This IS beautiful Liz....I haven't experienced winter in a long time...thank you for taking me there!

 A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire!
Shannon



Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
8 posted 2000-01-07 10:31 AM


Denise,
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!
I'll talk to you tonight
Think of a place near Rt 1
Or Ft Wash> and I'll get instructions fro off ramp to Plymoth Meeting
See you tomorrow!
Liz

Pepper,
Thank you
Be looking for some pics soon
You don't really want to experience winter
This is just a poem!
Liz

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

9 posted 2000-01-07 11:02 AM


There's nothing in Fort Washington
-It's quite industrial
So Plymouth Meeting or Route 1
-They both have a great mall!  

Whatever is the best for you
-We'll have a lovely day
The map I read gave me a clue
-I'll soon be on my way!  




 Denise


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
10 posted 2000-01-07 11:57 AM


Magnificant work here Liz.  Put another log on the fire.  Here that blue jay with the peanut flys into the sun on this winter day.

 In the dew of little things,
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed.
(ee cummings)

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
11 posted 2000-01-07 05:57 PM


martie,
Thanks so much,
I'll be seeing those California bluebirds soon!
Love ya,
Liz

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
12 posted 2000-01-07 07:17 PM


Well, what can I say? This is a perfect sestina in every detail, along with everything else you've done. What is equally impressive, however, is the topics that you choose and the images you are able to cunjure up. Anyone can mechanically follow a pattern or rhyme scheme....but you bring it alive and make it breathe. I salute you, poetess!!  
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
13 posted 2000-01-07 07:53 PM


Well, Mr. Balladeer, what can I say? You do certainly come up with tough assignments, but it has been fun
Thanks so much for all your help and your teachings
Liz

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
14 posted 2000-01-07 08:00 PM


Lovely, Elizabeth, my friend.
~Marge~

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
15 posted 2000-01-07 09:12 PM


MARGE!!
So nice to see you again!!
I missed you
Hope you will be posting again soon
Liz

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
16 posted 2000-01-07 09:41 PM


My my, you are a quick learner and learn well too. Nice sestina Liz  
Grandma Jo
Member
since 2000-01-02
Posts 51

17 posted 2000-01-07 09:48 PM


Not sure what a sestina is... but I do know beauty when I see it and this is beautiful!  
devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
18 posted 2000-01-07 09:55 PM


This is a beautiful impression of winter dear, Being from Indiana originaly, and now living in California I can honestly say I DON'T miss the harshness! Glad you made it sound so peaceful

 Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
19 posted 2000-01-07 10:18 PM


Hoot,
Thank you. This one required a little patience
Liz

Grandma Jo,
Again, welcome, and looking forward to your poetry
Liz

Devina,
No, after living in a tropical climate, I never di readjust to the cold, but a poem is a poem
Thank you
Liz

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
20 posted 2000-01-08 12:30 PM


Nice one - You almost make me enjoy winter.... almost -

Your internal rhyme is an added bonus too - Nice job, my friend....

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
21 posted 2000-01-08 07:33 AM


Nan,
Thanks for the comment, a metered sestina, right up your alley, my instructor in iambics
Liz

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