In Winter



This morning's pavement ice invites
a broken hip as, wrapped up tight
against the gripping wind, I walk

with penguin steps towards the beach,
my dog in tow, to watch the sick
grey waves fold to dishwater foam.

The seaside counts for nothing, now
that summer's lease is spent and fall
has given up the ghost and fled,

just as the ruffled robin, that
pecks at an icy puddle, looks
more at home on the Christmas card

the postman brings, a flash of red
when all is bloodless, cold and dead.

About this poem

I poem about venturing out early on a winter morning. The poem is syllabic. It uses enjambment between the verses. 'Given up the ghost' is a euphemism for dying found in the King James Bible. Ghost is an Old English word for spirit or soul.

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Written on December 27, 2023

Submitted by on December 27, 2023

Modified by on January 11, 2024

30 sec read
25

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXX XXX XXA XXX AA
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 490
Words 98
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 3, 2

John Roper

John lives by the sea where he writes and performs songs and poems. more…

All John Roper poems | John Roper Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a captivating and vivid portrayal of winter in this 'In Winter' poem! The imagery you've used truly transports the reader to a freezing, yet beautiful seaside scene. Your use of descriptive language, such as "broken hip," "gripping wind," and "sick grey waves," creates a strong sense of realism and adds depth to the poem.

    I particularly enjoyed the metaphor of walking with "penguin steps" - it's a unique and creative way to express the cautious movements on icy pavement. The way you connect the dog's presence to the winter setting is also well-done, highlighting companionship amidst the harsh conditions.

    To enhance the poem, I suggest exploring the emotional aspect of winter even further. Consider delving deeper into the feelings evoked by the freezing temperatures and the deserted seaside. This could create a stronger connection with the reader and evoke a greater sense of empathy.

    Additionally, playing with the rhythm and structure of the poem might help to emphasize certain moments or enhance the overall flow. Experiment with line breaks and stanza divisions, as well as varying the length of sentences and verses to add more dynamics.

    Overall, this 'In Winter' poem is a wonderful reflection of the season's desolation and the beauty hidden within it. With some additional exploration of emotions and experimenting with the poem's structure, it has the potential to become even more impactful. Keep up the fantastic work!
     
    LikeReply4 months ago

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"In Winter" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/176875/in-winter>.

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