I walk amongst the trees. These are my trees. I own a forest! I miss the leaves. I miss green. I miss Spring. I am impatient for her, in all her fickle, sodden ways–her downpours, her chill winds, her late snows, and her overcast skies. I miss her for her bursting buds and clear sun and green, oh her green. She is a mix, our Spring, yet adorable, like a rowdy toddler.
Winter is dependable, set in her ways. Old, bitter, and cruel, robbing the trees–my forest!–of its treasures. Winter vanquishes Spring’s green, turning her leaves brown and smothering them in blankets of white.
The trees stand in disdain, gripping the icy ground. They are patient….and wise.
In Winter, they brace themselves against the cold, gray sky, towering in proud structure. Shape and form, simple lines and curves.
There is nowhere else to look, naught else to behold. They say, “Look at me and see my glory.” And they say it with no shame.
They don’t need the leaves to know they are….still….
….beautiful.
And they whisper, “Woman, you can learn.”
northcountrygirl says:
I agree. I’m ready for Spring! :clover:
On January 26, 2011 at 6:35 am
joycee says:
poetry in words, tis true!
On January 26, 2011 at 7:03 am
Mermonster says:
I am ready for spring as well but they are calling for more snow and freezing temps. 🙁
On January 26, 2011 at 7:13 am
ellen mcbryde says:
very.well.said.
On January 26, 2011 at 7:20 am
Mary says:
Amen..we can All learn. Very beautifully written.
On January 26, 2011 at 7:36 am
Joell says:
:happyflower:
Suzanne, have you given any though to do a small book of poetry about all of the things that have inspired you, espically the beautiful WV land and her history. This post says you can.
On January 26, 2011 at 7:40 am
Joell says:
:happyflower: It should have read–given any thought to doing a small book of poetry–I need to wear my glasses and turn on a light. 😕
On January 26, 2011 at 7:43 am
Angela P says:
I do love all the seasons. For me winter is a time of rest, like the trees.Although driving in the snow and ice not my fav!
Thanks for taking us on a walk with you Suzanne through your beautiful forest. And the poetry, while walking, is that poetry in motion?? LOL! Either way. Beautiful!
On January 26, 2011 at 7:46 am
Becky says:
I’m with you..I love my trees! I look forward to their “show” each spring when the buds appear.
On January 26, 2011 at 7:48 am
Debbie in PA says:
It’s snowing like crazy here-thank goodness it’s a powdery snow or there would be branches coming down.
I love a winter sky at sunset, with all the shades of purple and gray. I love the look of snow on bare black branches, especially on trees with gnarled and twisted branches. I love seeing deer in a snowy field, frosted pine trees, and fluffly, fat flakes coming down.
Don’t necessarily like driving in the stuff however!
On January 26, 2011 at 8:08 am
B. Ruth says:
Dear lovely trees, so tall, so strong…
You would make a beautiful barn…..
just sayin’
On January 26, 2011 at 8:09 am
country gram says:
Beautiful thoughts and beautifully written.
This is the best time of year to appreciate the beauty of our trees.
On January 26, 2011 at 8:09 am
holstein woman says:
Trees, trees, beautiful trees. All our lives we take from you and not give back. We cut you down, chop you, burn you up, carry you around all our lives from birth to death, but everywhere your beauty abounds.
Yes I like trees, especially nut and fruit trees. My forest is wonderful also.
Such lovely work Suzanne
On January 26, 2011 at 8:32 am
Judy says:
I still love the snow, but I’m getting there. Give me another month and I know I’ll be ready for spring.
On January 26, 2011 at 8:40 am
Kim Gibson says:
I am looking forward to the first really good snow of the season for this area, so I am not ready for spring at all. I have been cheated I have, precious, yes, cheated! No snow here, no lovely soft snow, no precious, only nasty muddy icy rain and sleet. Oh, sorry, I am better now. But really, I have missed the snow.
On January 26, 2011 at 8:45 am
Jane says:
B. Ruth, she could use cob and get a barn that is much warmer, cheaper and fire resistant. Just sayin’ 😉
On January 26, 2011 at 8:59 am
Grammy Jam says:
While I don’t have a forest, my backyard is “the woods”. One of my few favorite things about winter is listening to the snow fall in the woods, what a beautiful, peaceful sound.
On January 26, 2011 at 9:07 am
Carmen at Old House Kitchen says:
Although I am enjoying being stuck inside so that I can finish all those crafts and such that I think about all spring, summer, and fall, I am looking forward to a lovely day when we can open the windows and enjoy a nice, cool breeze! Lovely post.
On January 26, 2011 at 9:15 am
Joy says:
The very nicest thing about trees is that they renew themselves. For every one of those tall, grownup trees standing stately reaching to the skies is a small baby tree at its roots struggling for sun. Trees can become barns, homes, fences to keep the cows in, and lots of other useful stuff including heat in the cold winter snows. AND, when we thin the forest selectively like we thin our rows of plants in the garden, we make room for the other trees to grow tall and strong in their own time.
Everything has its own time to grow–plants, trees, animals and humans. AND, its own time to make way for new growth. Its a hard lesson you learn on a farm….nothing lasts forever, you just have to make the best use of everything and not waste anything.
On January 26, 2011 at 9:21 am
Kelly says:
Yes, there is so much to be learned when we slow down, be still, and listen. I need to do it more often. Thanks, Suzanne. :sun:
On January 26, 2011 at 9:38 am
texwisgirl says:
Lovely.
On January 26, 2011 at 10:21 am
Melissa Marsh says:
The last line blew me away, Suzanne. Gorgeous writing here.
On January 26, 2011 at 10:26 am
Tina says:
Beautiful, beautiful!! There is such a solid, quiet, settled-feeling peace in the woods in winter. No foliage to hide the stately glory of each tree; your words captured it very well, Suzanne. And the snow…how can you not love it?
On January 26, 2011 at 10:53 am
Gem says:
(Another) beautiful branch of your artistic soul!
On January 26, 2011 at 11:00 am
Linda says:
Nicely done…..I have a forest also and I too long for the beautiful green leaves and blooms. The snow is beautiful on them but I am ready for a different color! :yes:
Linda
On January 26, 2011 at 11:02 am
Window On The Prairie says:
Winter, though it can be a pain, does have its beauty too. I’m enjoying the transformed landscape covered with snow, the birds flocking to our birdfeeders, the hush of the land at rest, looking at the tracks of animals in the snowy woods, and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we’ve been getting lately. Every season has its own beauty, it’s just a matter sometimes of looking for it. Blessings to all, Suzanne
On January 26, 2011 at 11:15 am
B. Ruth says:
Joy,
You are so right..I comment from the experience of “crying buckets of tears” when we had to have the loggers come in to cut our stand of huge pines. The acreage of pines lost due to the infestation of pine beetles…
We have now on our property one of the largest Red Oaks..after having the forestry service out to measure and document it…Love my trees…and I know Suzanne wants a barn…”just sayin'”…and they are a renewable resource…with manangement..
On January 26, 2011 at 11:24 am
Sharon Skelton says:
I have a lot of work to do before spring gardening sets in. We are having mild weather here in western Oregon and my forsythia is about to bloom! I too love to watch the trees go through their cycles. But I don’t have the words to describe it like you do!
On January 26, 2011 at 11:33 am
Alison says:
I, too, love the green of spring. It has such variety of shades and feels fresh. However, I also love the browns/grays of winter. They also provide a variety of shades. In addition, I love that more sky is visible during this season of winter.
On January 26, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Ramona says:
It’s just a cold beauty….
Definitely ready for Spring.
On January 26, 2011 at 12:10 pm
lizzie says:
I have no words! Beautifully written!!!!! :fairy:
On January 26, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Bev in CA says:
Over the years we have planted many trees. Trees give us so much. A warm house for one. An orchard, beautiful in Spring and it’s bounty. We also planted a Sugar Maple, to provide us and many generations to come with it’s beauty. Winter seems so long.
This morning it is freezing, but the Earth is renewing itself. It is resting so it can provide for us through the coming year ahead. A beautiful walk in the woods, what a great way to start the day.
On January 26, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Barbee' says:
What a beautiful post!
On January 26, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Cheryl says:
Suzanne, your post made me think of Thoreau. He would have liked you very much I imagine. Thank you, that was beautiful.
On January 26, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Miss Becky says:
I’ve been reading many comments lately about how ready for spring people are, and sick of winter. I’m experiencing a bit of cabin fever myself, but all I have to do is think about the heat and humidity of July and August and I’m good. I don’t prefer one season over another, I love them all. But I AM fonder of winter since I’m post-menopausal. It makes all the difference in the world… :yes:
On January 26, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Diane says:
Beautiful post. You have a way with words. (Just in case you want to keep those lovely tree, get cutting on those thick vines that will tear out the tops. Not only a steward of animals but a steward of the trees.)
On January 26, 2011 at 7:05 pm
AnnieB says:
Wow. True poetry. Thank you.
On January 26, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Sue, a Florida Farm Girl says:
Uh huh! You got that right!! Thanks for the reminder.
On February 1, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Cyndy Buiniskis says:
Oh my! I’ve been out of town and am catching up on my CITR fix. This post took my breath away, Suzanne! Truly stunning. I’ve been having a particularly bad workday and reading this has stilled my racing mind. I’ll have to wait til the weekend, but I am sooooo going to have a walk in our woods and admire the bare, beautiful and majestic trees! Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!
On February 3, 2011 at 1:24 pm
AspenFlower says:
That was so lovely, so beautiful. Thank You for sharing your pictures and especially your poem. <3
On September 14, 2012 at 6:46 am