wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

A Cold Midnight Visit

49 Comments

 

 

Moans and groans that chill the bones,

Through the window stream,

Scents of icy northern zones,

Invade the sleeper’s dreams.

 

Cold unwelcome guest descends

On the huddled shape,

Shivering, the ice-ghost bends,

Whispers in her nape.

 

Who has paid the icy fare,

On these crystal flows,

Hitching rides on Arctic air,

Following their nose?

 

Walruses and polar bear,

Wolves and caribou,

Send their scent along the air,

Via Manitou.

 

Think of us, they sadly moan,

Swirling round the room,

Dream of us, for now you’ve known

Our cold nights and our gloom.

 

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Author: wordsfromanneli

Writing, travel, photography, nature, more writing....

49 thoughts on “A Cold Midnight Visit

  1. shoreacres's avatar

    I was introduced to Gitchie Manitou in Longfellow’s “Hiawatha.” It was fun to find the reference here, too.
    Now, I’m going to go put on an extra layer; for some reason I’m feeling cold.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Klausbernd's avatar

    GREAT combination of poem and pictures, dear Anneli.
    We are hoping to get cold weather and snow, that walruses and polar bear, wolves and caribou
    send their scent along the air.
    Keep well
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Grant at Tame Your Book's avatar

    Between the poem and pics, I felt the chill! Thanks, Anneli.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. John's avatar

    Wow, such a big cold front, Anneli, stay warm! Our daily high was 45 yesterday and 47 degrees today, much colder than I should be in my view.

    Like

  5. Ursula's avatar

    Looking at the pictures and reading the poem, I was shivering. We are having 12 degrees minus tonight and then every night will get colder for another few days. So I will have to shiver for many days and nights. Keep warm, I try to do the same.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. kagould17's avatar

    I know it is cold in Alberta, but as we say…”its a dry cold”. I have never felt as cold anywhere as I have near water (lake or ocean. Those scenes do look chilly Anneli. Happy Monday. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Dina's avatar

    That’s a very atmospheric poem, Anneli! 🥶🥰

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar

    That’s a great poem, Anneli! It describes those photos extremely well. We are expecting some cold northern air as well and there’s a snowfall warning for central and northern Okanagan, but so far, not for us. It’s supposed to get colder towards the end of the week though before warming up again toward Sunday. Stay cozy – maybe hot chocolate and a good book?

    Liked by 1 person

  9. belindagroverphotography's avatar

    Evocative images of the cold in your words. I enjoyed the photos too.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Carol Balawyder's avatar

    Anneli, your photos made me want to put on a sweater. They are gorgeous. Your poem made me wonder how the animals can withstand the cold. Nature is certainly something to marvel at.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Kiki's avatar

    And here i am, still coughing and sniffing, but mostly feeling very sorry for myself because, as per the meteo, it’s-4°C and FEELING like -8, winds and brrrr . French spoken Swiss HH says ‘gla gla gla’ which stands for glacial (icy)…. beautiful pairing Anneli. Happy New Year, and some warmth in your heart and bones, at least!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Jennie's avatar

    Brrr… well said, Anneli!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. D. Wallace Peach's avatar

    Those photos look so cold and gloomy. And the poem is wonderfully haunting, Anneli. The warmth in your home must be extra cozy this time of year.

    Liked by 1 person

    • wordsfromanneli's avatar

      Thanks, Diana. We work a little harder at it these days, keeping the fire going, but it’s pretty cozy in the house. But step outside and it’s a whole other world; one in which I feel so sorry for the birds and animals I can hardly bear it, thinking of those little hummingbirds. But at least we got a heated feeder for them this year, thanks to a friend for this gift.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. roughwighting's avatar

    Brrrrrr. Shivering in the doom and gloom. FANTASTIC poem!! We got 11 inches of snow early in the week. Brrrrr 🌨️

    Liked by 1 person

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