Ice-tipped
boughs sparkle bright,
boot-crackled frost-laced leaves
send squirrels scattering and keen crows
soaring,
star-birds
gleam, stream light-blasts,
ancient songs echo, brush
feathers of owls’ wings with magic
they sing,
come dreams,
twirling visions,
sugarplums and Mouse King,
mythic battles, long night’s shadows
begin.
Yet see–
against grey sky
red, green, silver, and blue
baubles beckon in joyous glow–
Yuletide
displays
festive and bright–
candles burn as Earth turns
now winter comes, silent nights, hushed
with snow.
A Crapsey cinquain sequence for Colleen’s Festive prompt. It’s a sort of fragment poem, too.
I’m sharing this poem with dVerse Open Link Night.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Your poem perfectly captures what Christmas was like when I was a child.
You captured the magic of the season perfectly, Merril. I’ll have visions of sugarplums dancing in my head tonight.😍
There was a decade in my youth, during the 50’s when Christmas was all Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses. The 60’s shook me out of Hallmark fantasies, and bathed in free love and idiotic war. You take me back to my childhood views; thanks.
You’re welcome. I never had Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses. More like Woody Allen. But I’m pleased this took you back to a happy time, Glenn.
The poem sounded so good read live, and the sound ‘come back’ as I read it here! Magnificent first stanza which sets the tone…
Aww–that’s lovely, Ain. Thank you!
Loved this: “ancient songs echo, brush/feathers of owls’ wings with magic”! What a delight to read, Merril!
Pax,
Dora
Thank you very much, Dora! I’m so pleased you think so.
So nice to hear you read your holiday poem, Merril. My favorite part:
“candles burn as Earth turns
now winter comes,”
Thank you very much, Lisa!
What a wonderful rhythm! Like a whirling dance. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe!
I loved this poem, and the wonderful rhythm with which it resonates 🙂
Thank you very much! 😀
Wonderfully bright and uplifting Merril. The perfect exaltation of joy to wrap yet another difficult year in the festive paper of possibility! Wonderful write!
Aww–that’s so kind, Rob! 💙
What a delightful poem perfect for the season!
Thank you so much, Dale!
A delightful read. Made me smile. Thank you. Happy holidays to you.
Thank you so much. Happy holidays to you, too!
Such a delightful seasonal poem, Merril! I’m so disappointed I didn’t get to hear you read it 😦
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
So much to love here, especially “boot-crackled frost-laced leaves”!
Thank you so much, Marian.
I liked that one, too–even though it’s a bit of tongue twister. 😀
A cinquain sequence?. Really nice. Luv the yuketide verse best
Much💜love
Thank you very much, Gillena. And thank you for letting me know which stanza you liked best. 💙
Beautiful! 🙂
Thank you! 😊
Treats for the eyes and ears
Thank you very much, Derrick. 💙
I love the visuals in this, the iced trees, the star-birds, the bright colors, and the final images of warmth and home. What the season should be.
Thank you so much! Little snapshots of winter.😀
Seasonally sensational Merril. Sorry I couldn’t be there to hear it. Maybe next year.
Thank you so much, Ron.! 😀
This is beyond beautiful, Merril! I especially love; “stream light-blasts, ancient songs echo, brush feathers of owls’ wings with magic they sing.”💝💝
Thank you so much, Sanaa! 💙
Merril, your word play is stunning. All of my senses were aglow from your imagery. Thanks for jumping in this week. ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen. That is so kind. ❤️
Just beautiful. A wonderful tribute to the Christmas season. 🙂
Thank you very much! 😀
The holiday season so beautifully dressed in your words, Merril! Enchanting. 💙
Thank you so very much 💙
My pleasure. 😊
I missed this one. Very Christmassy, and the form gives it a crisp icy crackle.
Thank you! 😀
xx
That sound of walking on frozen ground is so well described.
Thank you very much!
Love this. You took me away for some moments, to a wonderful place in mind!
Thank you, Merril!
Thank you very much, Resa!