Now the cold, grey days of winter,
Splinter
Sunshine through the clouds.
Shrouds
Of snow cover green fir and pine.
Pine
For warmth, for shoots of green
Seen
And birds heard as they return to sing.
Sing!
Loudly their joy at the return of Spring
Bring
Hope that the end of frost is near
Here
We wait under a thick cover
Recover
With soup, bread, and wine
Dine
And watch for dawn’s break, for midnight’s end
Suspend
The cold, bring forth the light,
Bright
Sight
No more the cold, grey days of winter.
Splinter.
This is an echo poem in response to Jane Doughterty’s Poetry Challenge
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Nicely done! I like the way you bring the idea full circle. Appropriate.
Thanks, Jane! 🙂
Fascinating construction and excellent poetry
Wow–thanks so much, Derrick!
Your echo is very strong, Good idea to repeat some words. It all works well, and is beautiful too.
Thank you very much! My first attempt at this form. 🙂
I like that the echo bounces around and boomerangs back to home base, completing the cycle. Just now I see a sliver of sunrise light this morning in PA, so welcome after a cold, grey day. A splinter, a sliver . . .
Thanks, Marian. We have bright sunlight this morning in NJ! 🙂
I love the photo of the bulb-is it a snowdrop bravely peeking through? And the way in which a single word line rhymes with the previous word – very clever. Altogether lovely Merril 😀
Thank you, Susan! I had fun with this format. It is indeed a snowdrop. I took it one day about a week ago when we had had some snow, and then I spotted the snowdrop where the snow had already melted.
Someone else already mentioned this, but since I noticed it too — I love the way your echo bounces around and circles back. Lovely thoughts of spring on this cold winter day. 🙂
Thank you, Robin! Cold wind today, but bright sunshine and longer days! 🙂
You’ve done well with this one. Those little signs and occasional touch of spring while winter is still in our midst. A few warm days should be coming your way.
Thanks, Frank. Yes, I enjoyed the bright sunshine yesterday (even with the cold wind), and love the days staying light a bit later.
I forgot to say it at my end, but hope Hubby had a wonderful birthday yesterday.
Thanks, Frank!
That’s so good. Makes me want to try…
Thank you very much, Geoff. Go for it!
I very much like how you used the echo verse–your words prevail in such a way that reading feels natural (difficult to do). Spring seems far away right now, here, but who knows?
Thank you very much, Janice. I really did hear one of the spring birds this morning, and yesterday there was bright sunshine here–along with the cold wind. Spring is coming!
Wonderful! I especially liked the repetition of “pine” and “sing,” with the shifts in meaning.
Thank you, Jennifer!
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I love this poem and the way you took the form and made it your own.
Thank you very much!
We don’t have those here, but then we don’t have that feeling of renewal each year either.
The sense of renewal is special. Perhaps you get that sometimes after it rains?
No, it’s not really like that after a rain here. Good try though 😉 hahaha. It’s a little too stagnant here for me, but it does have advantages.
Haha. I tried.