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Winters End

Hereabouts the thinning glades Of sparse grey Birches: Brackens crisp copper tresses All aglow; Gently waking Snowdrops Lift their sleepy heads From leafy beds of woodland moil, When tucked snugly up, Out of intrusive sight and just Below. Fondly the slowing bend Hugs upon the river... Banked heavily with frosted Bulrushes That shifting breezes once did so Stiffly blow; The faltering current, That sped the pied Dipper, Patiently seeks out the quiet Devotions Of her beguiling flow. When the drawing Moonlight Gives way to purple Twilight In the gloaming Of Winters sharp days; When the yellowy willows Weep watery glints Lingering and loitering... Pining for long Summers slanted Rays. For far, far, high above Over the old red-bricked mill... Whose creaking sluice gurgles With long melancholy sighs: Heavens twinkling stars, Held briefly in abeyance, Partially obscured by thin veils of Dull-leaden, magenta tinged skies. Where the low horizons fall And briefly meet the mornings On heathered moor, open field, And inland shore:- Here beached boats dreaming Of white crested waves; Soon the keen plough will make Ready To score the deep furrows once More. Now our Lady Skadi, Purest and resplendent, Through driving sleet And blinding blizzards will ascend - Returning to aged fortress Of eternal Utgard Leaving her thawing snows To dispel long Winters End!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 11/12/2017 10:02:00 AM
Lovely imagery, John. Winter will soon be upon up once more. Especially liked your personification throughout. Kind regards, John.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/14/2018 2:36:00 AM
Thank you, Michael...that is very kind of you to say so; sorry for the late reply! I work as a "Postie", and it has been - hectic!! Catch up with you and your poems very soon, Michael. My best regards - cheers! :) john
Date: 9/20/2017 9:01:00 PM
John it makes me sad in my heart to have missed such magical beauty. I will try to tell you of my winters ending and then we can share the world. Well done poet.
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John Fleming
Date: 9/28/2017 8:18:00 AM
Thanks, Patricia. Yes -- that sounds all rather wonderful! Every season has its outstanding moments of magic...and Winter is no exception; there is an "embracing snugness" about Winter that no other time of year can match. :) john
Date: 11/27/2016 10:51:00 PM
I don't normally go for nature poems but this one was great. Favorite lines: "Crisp copper tresses" and "beached boats dreaming of white crested waves"
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John Fleming
Date: 12/10/2016 3:41:00 PM
My sincerest apologies for the late reply, Stanley. I work for the Royal Mail, and have so little time to do much of anything at this time of year...except work...work...and even more work - Lol! Rest assured your kind comments are always very much appreciated! My very best regards, Stanley...Cheers! :) john
Date: 9/2/2016 2:43:00 PM
what incredible vivid imagery John - I much prefer autumn to winter but you portray it so beautifully:-) belated congrats:-) hugs Jan xx
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John Fleming
Date: 9/4/2016 4:26:00 AM
Hi, Jan. Glad you enjoyed the read. :) I too prefer Autumn to Winter...Such beautiful colours! Rather ironical in a way...That such a lavish season can be so melancholy as well as so dazzling! My warmest wishes, Jan. :) john
Date: 10/20/2015 1:36:00 AM
Well imaged scenery and rich vocabulary in the lines you display John, I also see a win, belated congratulations..'
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John Fleming
Date: 10/20/2015 3:27:00 PM
Nice to make your acquaintance, Joe. Many thanks for the visit and kind comments! My very best regards! :-) john
Date: 5/6/2015 7:33:00 AM
One on my favorite parts of winter: "When the drawing Moonlight, Gives way to purple Twilight". Congrats :)
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John Fleming
Date: 5/6/2015 4:05:00 PM
Hello, Ed. Nice to make your acquaintance! Thanks for commenting on my humble efforts...Cheers!! :) john.
Date: 5/5/2015 3:04:00 PM
John, Congratulations in "Winters End contest." Have a nice day. LINDA
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John Fleming
Date: 5/6/2015 3:56:00 PM
Hi, Linda. Thanks for your kind comments and the visit. Cheers!! :) john.
Date: 5/5/2015 11:00:00 AM
Hi John. Congratulations <3 thank you 4 supporting my "Winters End" contest. Forever ~SKAT~
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John Fleming
Date: 5/6/2015 3:51:00 PM
Thanks, Skat. It was a pleasure to take part. Best regards!! :) john.
Date: 4/20/2015 8:31:00 AM
Good work and an unbelievable level of talent shown here. I will definitely come checking more of your work.
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John Fleming
Date: 4/20/2015 9:48:00 PM
Hello, Funom. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance. Thank you for your kind and generous comments - they are very much appreciated! My very best regards!! :) john.
Date: 3/18/2015 10:50:00 PM
You paint with your words like a master artist John, making it so easy to visual this entire scene and draw me inside of it. Just breathtaking!7
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John Fleming
Date: 3/19/2015 3:21:00 AM
Thank you, Connie! Always nice to see you visiting! My very best regards!! :) john.
Date: 2/24/2015 4:50:00 AM
Fantastically composed poem here! "When the yellowy willows Weep watery glints, Gaily swirling and sliding, Pining for Summers long rays."Love those lines, love the melancholy! Thanks for sharing! Really enjoyed reading. The imagery is fascinating.And I love that glorious ending! An instant fave! Always, Laura
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John Fleming
Date: 2/24/2015 12:41:00 PM
Many thanks, Laura! Your kind words are very much appreciated! You are most welcome here at any time...Best regards!! :) john.
Date: 2/5/2015 8:43:00 AM
I totally enjoy your poems, John. I especially like the form this one takes, so easy to read, and so full of beauty. It takes seeing eyes to recognize beauty among the dead and dread of winter.
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John Fleming
Date: 2/5/2015 8:51:00 AM
Thank you, Cona! I really do appreciate your kind and encouraging words - and thanks for the visit!! :) john.
Date: 1/30/2015 3:12:00 PM
you sure put the reader right there in the poem,, the visual aspect being superb.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/30/2015 7:53:00 PM
Thanks, Harry...Your comments are always appreciated! :) john.
Date: 1/29/2015 4:25:00 PM
so vivid - love these descriptions
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John Fleming
Date: 1/30/2015 1:45:00 AM
Thank you, Jack. I very much appreciate your visit and kind comment! :) john.
Date: 1/29/2015 12:54:00 AM
Loved this descriptive piece, very vivid images.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/29/2015 2:02:00 AM
Thank you, William. Your comments are very much appreciated...many thanks! :) john.
Date: 1/26/2015 3:18:00 AM
Exceptional and superb pen John straight into my fav poem collection hugs 7 +fav
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John Fleming
Date: 1/26/2015 7:21:00 AM
Thank you, Shadow! I am most glad to know just how much you enjoyed the poem; and thanks for your very kind comments! :-) john.
Date: 1/18/2015 8:40:00 PM
This is TOO good John! You have just taken first prize in my book, because I don't see how any other poet could create anything more exquisite! I am blown away by your talent my friend. #7++ and a fav! I hope you won't mind me printing this poem out to savor?
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John Fleming
Date: 1/19/2015 1:42:00 AM
Thank you, Connie! Your kind words are most welcome! I would be very pleased indeed if you was to print out the poem. I would deem it a great compliment!! Your friend always, john. :-)
Date: 1/17/2015 1:17:00 AM
I really enjoy your style of writing, John. The images are so richly described that the reader can see them easily without having to try... Another exquisite piece of art from you, my friend! Good luck in the contest!
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John Fleming
Date: 1/17/2015 3:30:00 AM
Thank you, Kelly...you are most kind; as always! Nice to see you visiting again. :-) john.
Date: 1/16/2015 8:05:00 PM
wowowow, my goodness. this says it ALL for an epic poem. Maybe it is my favorite of them all!! You are so good at this kind of stuff. I have just put together a little triolet for MY epic winter poem. I hate winter and don't want to talk about all the stuff to do with it. You, however, did it quite elegantly!!
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John Fleming
Date: 1/16/2015 10:20:00 PM
Thank you, Andrea. Let me say that your encouraging words are most gratefully appreciated...as always! I hope you are well and in good health. Your friend. :) john.
Date: 1/16/2015 10:41:00 AM
elaborate weaving of a season's farewell with mythical touches that make this piece exceptional, john... fascinated!.. huggs
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John Fleming
Date: 1/16/2015 12:37:00 PM
Nice to see you again, Nette. Hope you are well! :) john.
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John Fleming
Date: 1/16/2015 12:34:00 PM
Thanks, Nette! I am still tinkering with the punctuation. I have to confess i end up totally confused at times as just how i want it to sound when spoken...ah well! Lol!! :) john.

Book: Shattered Sighs