When snow envelops
keeps us bound to warm home fires,
we do not feel the raw angle of
pelleting moisture
that blankets our path,
peppers our streets
salted with industrial strength,
chemically compounded with
higher fuel taxes
and
nights when there is no shelter.
No, we do not see that part
as we view a serene blanket
soft and cool against
rattling windows of white wind
heaving its race through
dark gray nights;
small children huddle beneath
Tenth Street bridge
around an open barrel
warming fingers
through soaked woolen gloves
no, we do not see that part.
We warm water
for a hot buttered rum
or mulled wine.
Our fire is for appearance
and wood made of wax
pops and sparkles
incredibly impure colors
we find amusing
as we shuffle our children
up carpeted steps
into warm beds of down filled quilts;
smiling faces
that see the makings
of a snowman - as they should.
No
we do not see those other things
when snow envelops
binding us to warm fires -
how could we?
Author notes
inspiration from: Naked by Manuel Bandeira - 1886-1968
Though this is not a love poem, so to speak, the realism and truths expressed by this writer in simple language made me stand up and take notice. The style is from the referenced poem, though I read many others by this artist to get the feel and breath of his observations.
Our worlds and our comforts are relative to what we know.
A contest entry
- Make Them Smile- great Old Poet inspiration by Peteskid.
2000 points, ended March 15, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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I remember reading this poem, and remember smiling after reading it
Still makes me smile to see how you got so well inspired by Bandeira's poem. I love his poem Naked, and your is just as lovely.
Mari
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Thank you. I had forgotten all about this piece, but never the impact left from reading Bandeira's work. I am so pleased for your comment. Thank you. ~Pamela
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This seems to have ...
the authenticity of truth.
Good luck in the contest.
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Good job Pam
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Its amazing how quickly we forget what is going on outside our front doors, when we can warm out toes on faux fires .. I suppose its out of sight out of mind.
I don't really think its a case of not knowing, more of not being able to relate to that suffering, how could we unless we live it.
Made me pause for thought dear friend on this Monday morning.
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Who could but not step into this world, the wording and images created by them make it a reality
A piece to set ones mind on what for for some is the other side of what appears to be such beauty.
Excellent seems so inadequate when speaking about most of your work
but i will use it anyway
Excellent
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I loved what you have said in this, a true statement couched in such eloquence. The images you create, two sides of the snowstorm, and I am reminded that even the children warming their hands over the barrel envision that world where the warmth comes from more than artificial flames. Suffice it to say that this brought up lots of thoughts. It is a wonderful poem. Good luck in your contest.
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Excellent poem with lots of thinking involved. Very well chosen words and rhythm.
Michael
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I have lived both the in and the out you so masterfully portrait here. so I can "see" as I crawl upon a comfortable mattress with an electric cover just how cold the world can be and I question those who can't even as I understand how comfortable it is not to.
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I like that you presented two sides of looking at the cold and snow, no matter how beautiful it is to some, and welcomed by children with so much glee at making snowmen, sledding, and legitimately skipping school. By others who haven't proper shelter and warm clothes, it it faced with dread. Your poem is indeed written with the perspective of what we find relative. I like the images and words used to bring the warmth of the hot buttered rum into my hands.
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This is what I would choose to see, the beauty in the blanket of winter chill.Wondefully thought provoking, leaves one to ponder on what one might see; if we dont see any of these things at all.Thanks for sharing your poetic talent, be blessed in all you do.
Tony
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[I have visited the poem on Old Poetry, and made a comment there, thank you for the link]
Naked in the Bandeira poem seemed to mean many things, and within those ideas, to have some dimensions; it is a very thoughtful poem, by a brilliant thinker.
I think he would smile knowingly at this inspiration, this entry, because it brings a dimension to the thought: who are we beneath the cover that we show to the world, even to ourselves.
The insights in this entry are wonderful, moving from physical outsides to the meaning of what we do, what we see, what we choose to see. If we do not see the events covered by the patina of snow: the untenable conditions, risks, and the suffering of others, then what does that reveal about us...it is something so revealing about us. Excellent, a strong positive message.Thank you for this fine entry into the contest and best of luck in the judging...PK
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Sigh...this is so strong in its humanitarian voice and of the things we don't think hard enough about and how petty things replace the bigger picture when we are safe in our own worlds.
I'd remove the 'and' before 'no, we don't see that part' it's stronger as a stand alone statement. Not sure about spell of woolen as we use double 'l' in Aussie 
so it looks strange lol...You made me smile with your compassionate look on this all to familiar scenario C
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