Transcendence

A window of blue
appeared in the sky yesterday,
opening the dimmest, gray world
of season’s depth
to light and clarity.
For a little while.

I felt the cold as much as before,
but didn’t let the dark pressure
of that sculpted,
stone marble dead atmosphere
weigh upon me
As it seeks to
day after day of this.

Winter skies:
Layer upon layer of dark clouds
Impenetrable as they seem,
in reality, they are merely the flimsiest band
of gases and molecules
nothing, really,
but enough to cloak transparence
in a winter coat.

But on those darkest days
of icy thoughts and winter willfulness
that seek to push aside beneficence
and replace it with solemnity —
or, much worse, misery —
I will not yield,
for the mind soars
up and out
even when pummeled and tossed about,
shaken by those winter-claimed souls
who want you to be your adversary.

But it won’t work.
Those skies above the gray din of human connivance
are blue and pure and transcendent,
and they speak of warmth and radiance,
light and love.

This poem was written last winter when we were having very cold days and then gray skies and more cold into January. A particularly frigid season that was both invigorating and yet worrisome. Extremes of any sort make me apprehensive, and while you can bundle up against the winter cold, there is no warmth from without. It must come from within, and therein lies our strength, no matter what time of year. I just wanted to revisit this poem and share it here, for there are cold days ahead this winter, although that almost seems an impossibility in our warm and mild South Carolina Lowcountry this year.

The weather is crazy here in Ga! One day it is freezing, the next..it’s humid and muggy and yucky! Who can believe that it is December! D@mned global warming…:)

Looking up

December 16, 2001

Beautiful writing. Some lines ‘I will not yield’ seem to have voices-Katherine Hepburn -Winston Churchill. You write so vividly. Makes me read on happily.

Above grey skies are the blue, and a friendly golden sun, waiting, greeting us with joyful brightness again, soon! Yesterday I had a pleasant reverie. A beautiful scenery disclosed in front of me, of a blue sky and gently waving water, a bird resting in a late afternoon sun. On a cold day like this it warmed my heart so much! Inner warmth and that of caring and loving souls gives us hope, alway

What is the line? “Gray skies are gonna clear up…put on a happy face…(?)” I’ll be wearing my happy face until the big thaw. Happy holidays, by the way. I wish for you another inspiring year.

There are times when even the cold slate-grey days of winter can be beautiful. Sunday morning, wrapped in a robe with the newspaper and fresh coffee, I watched the winter day dawn and saw that beauty.

It’s beautiful Oswego. Thank you for sharing.

Usually it is in February that I have the same feelings. Right now I enjoy the grey days – a little tired of the steadiness of the rain though. Thank you for the reminder for what is beyond the grey clouds. You’ve given me a new perspective for the winter days ahead.

ryn: A view master! Aren’t those the finest things? We tried one that shows the pictures on the wall…it’s not the same. I bought one for me and one for Z – we have many reels – put in a surprise wheel – ooh, aah – then trade. Just another day of lying on the floor. :o)

i feel barely here these days…maybe its the cold…

“I will not yield, for the mind soars up and out…” It one of my themes in this lifetime…Très éloquent, comme toujour, Monsieur O. I actually thrive in the cold, love the feel of cold on my face, love getting warmed up by skiing & skating & sitting by a fire…

It’s starting to get colder in Rock Hill, but Greenville was very warm when I left.

The warmth must come from within.. mmm, yes

As usual, one reading of your poem isn’t enough. One can’t simply read your poems; they are to be experienced, tasted, lived through. Words are markers left for the passersby to know your path and to recognize their own. “…sculpted,/stone marble dead atmosphere/weigh upon me…” evokes a frigid day more clearly than anything but being there. I like that you will not yield to such a day! [E

when i departed from G-wood, it was very cold; everyone bundled up in coats and layers of extra clothing. i arrived to the coast, and put away those warm sweaters, and enjoyed the remaining of the sunlight of the charleston weather. now, the sunny days of charleston have ended, and joined the cold ranks of the upstate. hopefully, the winter days will soon come to an end. hopefully! :þ [southvi