Has it already been a month since our first Free Verse Friday? Wow!
This month’s theme is “Winter”. Winter started late here in my corner of southern Ontario, but now that winter is here, it’s come with a blast! This morning I took a walk in -18 degree Celsius weather! At least we are seeing more sun.
For this challenge I used this picture for inspiration. The decoration hangs in my front yard, usually only for Christmas, but this year I have left it out longer.
I have done three variations of my poem.
Bearable
Winter, the time when
the whole world wears a toque
Trees, bushes, even
decorations take part
in this ritual, making
winter festive and thus more
bearable although…
Bears do hibernate…
This one I tried to use a syllable structure, loosely basing it on a tanka poem. I got the comment that it was choppy, so I tried the next structure to see if it improved anything.
Winter, the time when the whole world wears a toque
Trees, bushes, even decorations take part in this ritual,
Making winter festive and thus more bearable although…
Bears do hibernate…
Then it seemed that the funny twist at the end didn’t appeal to all, so I tried it without.
Winter, the time when the whole world wears a toque
Trees, bushes, even decorations take part in this ritual,
Making winter festive and thus more bearable
So what do you think? Which poem do you like best?
Don’t forget to head over to Bev’s blog to read her poem. And feel free to leave yours in the comment section.
Shoe’s Seeds and Stories
@Copyright 2023 Linda Schueler
Shoe's Seeds & Stories 
They are all good, Linda. I appreciate the humor of bearable and bears, but I like #3 the best 😊
I was leaning towards that one. I think I would have to make the connection stronger between bears and bearable.
Pingback: Free Verse Friday #2 – Winter | Beverley A Baird
I like them all as well. I like the second – as I do like the line about bears and hibernation. Mine is up as well.
Ah, so a vote for linking bears and bearable. I’ll have to see how to make the connection stronger.
I liked the first one best. It feels to me like I have more time and opportunity to relish set of words, and the line about the bears fits in brilliantly.
My poem is here. https://dickenslibrary.blogspot.com/2023/02/free-verse-friday-2-winter.html
Thanks for deciding to join us! So much to love in your poem: the temporary respite, the crystal garden, the cruel beauty…Such eye popping pictures too!
I also like the 2nd poem and keeping in the bears and bearable. Perhaps taking a more comedic turn?
Winter, the time when the whole world wears a toque
Trees, bushes, even decorations take part in this ritual,
Making winter festive and thus more bearable.
BUT
(something about cozy housecoats or warm fires or a beckoning arm chair with a cup of tea)
I am reminded…
Bears do hibernate.
Those are good suggestions. Expand it to make the punchline funnier.
iked the first one best. It feels to me like I have more time and opportunity to relish set of words, and the line about the bears fits in brilliantly
Thank you!