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February freeze
in the woods
all is still, motionless
black and white.
Then a flash
a splash of crimson
on gray bark,
woodpecker alights
his drumming echoes clear
through the cold-
a valentine to cheer us up ‘til spring.
This poem first appeared in Trailblazer Magazine.
Used here with the author’s permission.
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Jan Chronister is the current president of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets. Author of two chapbooks, her first full-length collection has just been released by Clover Valley Press. Jan lives in the woods near Maple, Wisconsin with her husband; learn more about her at www.janchronisterpoetry.wordpress.com.
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Jo:
I enjoyed your poem, Jan. and that last line is terrific ? a valentine to cheer us up ?till spring.
Thank you.
Posted 02/16/2019 09:21 PM
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barbsteff:
Congrats on this "cheer us up" mid-February poem Jan. Love the flash and splash, the 3-color picture.
Posted 02/16/2019 03:05 PM
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Lori Levy:
Love the image of the woodpecker in the "February freeze."
Posted 02/16/2019 02:48 PM
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michael escoubas:
Staccato sounds of poetry. Do I hear that woodpecker? Nicely done, Jan.
Posted 02/16/2019 01:52 PM
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CamilleBalla:
My iPad types in ? instead of quotation marks at this site. Readers, please know it should be quotation marks, I?ll try to remember not to use quotes.
Posted 02/16/2019 11:24 AM
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CamilleBalla:
Nice splash of contrasts. ?... Drumming echoes clear through the cold.? Nice. Sweet ending
Posted 02/16/2019 11:21 AM
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Janet Leahy:
Love the "flash and crash of crimson" and the music the woodpecker brings to the still woods. Very visual and great language of contrast, then the surprise
reference to a valentine bringing us cheer. Great poem, thanks Jan.
Posted 02/16/2019 08:34 AM
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wordartdjc:
Sweet poem.
Yes, a bit of unexpected cheer perks up our spirit. It is gloomy and rainy here today.
Posted 02/16/2019 08:25 AM
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paradea:
I like this poem.
Posted 02/16/2019 06:38 AM
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