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Sunshine
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0 posted 2000-09-30 06:31 AM


Midnight Walk in Battle Creek

night and darkness shadowed in
as heavy gray clouds felt of snow
and quiet was the air, and thin,
awaiting Mother Nature's show

O the beauty of a night first born
in a Michigan town, Battle Creek
smells of grape nuts in early morn
and for this are memories I keep.

Company had come that night
good times were had by all
then it soon chimed midnight
and the snow had begun to fall

twenty miles east of Kalamazoo
Battle Creek quietly resides
and Kalamazoo had all the wind
off Michigan's great lake side

Battle Creek was a different town
and quiet reigned over the snow
instead of drifts and shifting hills
the white just chose to grow.

Midnight walks on streets of white
a wondrous treat in it's own
but this is when the magic began
and why I believe in cherrystones.

Did you know that snow has song?
and can be heard when winds don't blow
crystalline tinkling is taken to heart
and the snowfairies softly glow

I know, we stood, quiet and still
sparkling chiming tings abound
no one spoke, but shyly descried
as the snow came twinkling to ground

O Battle Creek of Michigan
someday I'll come visit again.

©Karilea Rilling Jungel
29 September, 2000


© Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
1 posted 2000-09-30 09:57 AM


Karilea~
My goodness .... this is just lovely.

'Did you know that snow has song?
and can be heard when winds don't blow
crystalline tinkling is taken to heart
and the snowfairies softly glow'


I LOVE IT ! I DO !  
Dig deep ... there may be another one in this verse.
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Sunshine
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2 posted 2000-09-30 10:48 AM


Marge, I hug you!  Thank you!  Now, that tiny little print that I saw...was that a message to me to find more in this...or a reminder to you to expound???

Hugs, my friend!

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
3 posted 2000-09-30 10:52 AM


Midnight walks on streets of white
a wondrous treat in it's own
but this is when the magic began
and why I believe in cherrystones.

Did you know that snow has song?
and can be heard when winds don't blow
crystalline tinkling is taken to heart
and the snowfairies softly glow

I know, we stood, quiet and still
sparkling chiming tings abound
no one spoke, but shyly descried
as the snow came twinkling to ground


Now that is what I call pure poetry in it's finest.  I have often listened to these melodies in other places but looks like maybe I should visit MI this winter.  Excellent creation and in my library it goes.

seraphin
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since 2000-09-24
Posts 1004
Michigan
4 posted 2000-09-30 11:03 AM


Did you know that snow has song?
and can be heard when winds don't blow

Sunshine,
Lovely. I know of these snows you speak. I'm from the Detroit area. And the song rings clear wafting in over the shores of Lake St. Clair. A different kind of snow from anywhere else, cut through with icy diamonds. You described it perfectly. This lovely piece gets saved immediately.

Sunshine
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5 posted 2000-09-30 11:11 AM


Mark, stay east of Kalamazoo for the best snowfalls...still lake effected snow, the winds have died down...and seraphin had the best description: icy diamonds..., thanks for taking time to read, and someday, I wish you a beautiful Midnight Walk...

seraphin, now why didn't I think of icy diamonds...yes, that it is, exactly...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Sven
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East Lansing, MI USA
6 posted 2000-09-30 07:46 PM


You know Sunshine. . . we have pretty good snowfall here in Lansing, Michigan too. . .  

Maybe you should come and see sometime. . . when you've seen all the snow in Battle Creek. . . there's nothing like it. . .

Wonderful my friend. . . sitting by the window waiting for that first snowflake to fall. . .  

-------------------------------------------------------

That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Sunshine
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7 posted 2000-09-30 10:17 PM


Sven, probably one of the most magical memories I have, to date...I still hear the song of the snow...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Balladeer
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
8 posted 2000-09-30 10:31 PM


sunshine writing about snow....has the world gone insane??? LOL!

It's a terrific presentation, my friend. Hopefully, though, it's a song I won't hear for a LONG time! What can I say? I'm spoiled  

Wilfred Yeats
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since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
9 posted 2000-10-01 01:39 AM


Only those of us born in the snowbelts of the east (Buffalo worked pretty good for me as did Rochester and Michigan) can understand snow in all its Smilla flavors the crystal beauty. its windy bite, its moonlight sparkle, and the sheer joy of falling on deep mounds of it. Thank you for an especially beautiful reminder
seraphin
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since 2000-09-24
Posts 1004
Michigan
10 posted 2000-10-01 07:41 AM


Sunshine,
Our snows in Michigan are different from anywhere. There are many ways to describe them. Your words were "Yes! That is it! Exactly!" to me. But...come January, with streets cloaked in compressed white evil! My mind changes! Peeking out my window for a glimpse of pavement! A mere tint of green! hehehe  Ah well! Your words show the lovliest view of snow. Take care.

(Hi Sven! hehehe)

Elizabeth Santos
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since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
11 posted 2000-10-01 07:49 AM


I can hear the snow chiming it's tune, as little gusts of wind kick up the crystal snowflakes from off the the crust and swirl them around.
Lovely poem
Liz

Poet deVine
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Hurricane Alley
12 posted 2000-10-01 08:08 AM


I am from Michigan and remember these huge maple trees covered in ice during the winter. They creaked when the wind blew. That was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. Snow IS beautiful...but how good does it look at then end of a shovel? (loved your poem!)
Sunshine
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13 posted 2000-10-01 08:37 AM


'Deer, you're right on two counts, i AM insane and yes you ARE spoiled...{~,^} [haven't you ever seen what I DO to pure white snow...besides make it melt?]

Mr. Yeats, I should be thanking you, you are my constant reader...{~,~}

Seraphin, my friend...I'm one of those confusingly optimistic people who always have a half-ful cup and see the beauty in everything...even when the streets are exhaust-smoke gringy, I know that beneath the levels the snow still shines...

Ah Lady Elizabeth, my sanity...thank you for reading...

PdV...heavy...LOL...but the hot cocoa with marshmallows warm me up so well...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Sven
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East Lansing, MI USA
14 posted 2000-10-01 04:25 PM


HELLO SERAPHIN!!

Oh seraphin, you mean that you don't like to hear the "slosh, slosh" of the gray-black snow under your feet??  To see the lovely "icicles" that form under the wheels of your car??  LOL    

I must confess, I LOVE THE SNOW!. . . and isn't it funny how that, here in Michigan, people think I'm the strange one???

---------------------------------------------------------


That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Nan
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15 posted 2000-10-01 05:44 PM


I admit - Snow is beautiful... I haven't seen it in Michigan yet - but I have certainly enjoyed the aroma of Corn Flakes cookin' in Battle Creek... and the winds of Kalamazoo... and the corn growing in June - It's a great place for sure...... But I DON'T like to be cold...

I DO like your poem...

seraphin
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since 2000-09-24
Posts 1004
Michigan
16 posted 2000-10-02 12:10 PM


HELLO SVEN!!!!!

Okay, sunshine! Sven has a valid point. Put your wonderous talents to the test. Paint me a picture of the other side of Michigan winter! The one Sven so generously reminded me of!!! And in the meantime, we will all read this lovely piece one more time!

Sandi

[This message has been edited by seraphin (edited 10-02-2000).]

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
17 posted 2000-10-02 12:51 PM


Karilea~

'Now, that tiny little print that I saw...was that a message to me to find more in this?'

Yes !

You're just getting better with every write.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Sunshine
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18 posted 2000-10-02 12:03 PM


Sven, Seraphin...I do so like when a little post will begin comments between others...so much fun to read...and Seraphin, I will take your challenge, thank you...

Nan, I wouldn't stand out in the cold unless I knew there was a lovely way to become warm again...{~,^}

Marge, yes, ma'am...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Martie
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California
19 posted 2000-10-02 12:11 PM


My, this was exquisite writing, Karilea!  Living in California, I don't get to see snow often...well, once when I was 6 it snowed here...my brother and I were in heaven, and we can go to the mountains...pretty close and find snow...but I have never seen it like you did...thank you so much for showing it to me.  Loved this poem!
Sven
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East Lansing, MI USA
20 posted 2000-10-02 12:32 PM


Now seraphin. . . why would Sunshine want to write a poem about sloshy, black snow and "car icicles"?  LOL  

Well, Sunshine. . . I see that seraphin really wants you to do this. . . you know what it's like. . . go for it. . .

And to all of you out there that have never really experienced winter. . . I'll let you see it sometime. . . it's really not that bad. . . cold??  What cold?  

----------------------------------------------------------

That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl


Paula Finn
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since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
21 posted 2000-10-02 12:42 PM


You make me ALMOST like the snow with this one Sunshine....ALMOST...but it is a glorious write
Sunshine
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22 posted 2000-10-31 01:55 PM


Martie, as a native Californian, I remember the first time the dog's water dish froze over...I think that was the last time too...

Sven, I'm still trying to come up with Seraphin's request...but it is SO hard for Sun to do....sigh

Paula, let's see what I can do for you to decide to become a snowbunny....


Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ



Nan
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23 posted 2000-10-31 06:45 PM


Well now - I might just be able to find a nice warm place......
juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
24 posted 2000-10-31 07:04 PM


Oh my gosh Karilea you got me right where ya want me with this one. I'm totally enchanted. I ADORE the snow. I grew up in Ky. and I have such awesome memories of glorious snowfalls. I too wrote a poem about an experience I had during a midnight walk in the snow. Now living on the coast of NC I'm lucky if I even see a flurry.  
Thanks so much for this snowy little treat. Ok, I know I've rambled enough.
Hugs,
Juls

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
25 posted 2000-10-31 07:15 PM


Haven't been around in a while, but what a first piece to read!  Wonderful, lovely piece, enchanting and longing.  Thanks, my
friend, enjoyed it much.

jwesley


Marsha
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Maidstone Kent England
26 posted 2000-10-31 07:33 PM


Kari, this is wonderful, oh I love this I really do. The only snow we get here, either piles up for days, or disappears really quickly.
This is truly beautiful Kari,

I know we stood quiet and still
sparkling chiming tings abound
No one spoke but shyly descried
as the snow came twinkling to ground

This is utterly breathtaking, really amazing Kari. Take your bows love, Bravos, encores, and van loads of flowers. They'd be snow drops of course.  
Take care
              Mushy Marsha
              


Take back the hope you gave,- I claim
Only a memory of the same
Robert Browning

Sunshine
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27 posted 2000-10-31 08:34 PM


Nan...it's called cuddling up by the fireplace...

Juls...I do?  Well my goodness, that was easy, will have to do this again...

jwesley...welcome back!  Glad this one popped up for you again...

Majestic Marsha...so very glad you liked this one...thank you!


Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...KRJ



Ron K. Fox
Senior Member
since 2000-10-24
Posts 925

28 posted 2000-10-31 08:53 PM


Sunshine that was a beautiful poem, and since this is my first winter down south, I think that's what I'll miss...that first fresh snowfall...Christmas ain't the same in shorts..(I think a funny poem is a comin") Anyways thank you for painting that wonderful scene. Best, Ron

Tossing words like wishful coins into the deep well of an open heart. R. fox

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
29 posted 2000-10-31 10:46 PM


I know I read this - and replied -
but now I've read the others' replies as well- -and I must absolutely say the second reading far exceeded the first - the poem is definitely first class. Plus now I've learned
learned of other Michiganders (I lived in the Detroit area 20+ years) and can laugh at the D.C. disgust of 'deer - and realize that my natal city of Buffalo got the high quality of snow it did'does BECAUSE of being at the eastern end of a great lake (Erie) just as Battle Creek does being just west of Lake Michigan

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