Winter Yields

[AlluraD]

The burgeoning of life sweeps through each vein,
sweet murmuring to sleepy birches, wake!
The drifting snow gives way to falling rain,
exchanging blades of rye for every flake-

while soft'ning sod releases to the sun
the worm that draws the robin on the wing,
as tides and seasons turn in unison;
a sacred promise realized every spring-

that darkness yields to light in proper time,
the restive, ice-locked river surely thaws,
the sun unto her zenith yet will climb,
while winter bids adieu as she withdraws-

till autumn fades and swallows leave the nest
when earthly fields are held to frosted breast.

[e-piph[lol]]

AlluraD, the breath and insistence of your beautiful verse has captured my heart up into it.

..enjoyed..

[thoughts]

A beautiful Sonnet to welcome the spring. Really enoyable.
Margaret

[hawked]

AlluraD, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful....

the only thing that caught my attention in this was the mention of swallows leaving the nest which at least where I live usually happens before "autumn fades". I mean absolutely no offense, just the biologist in me. In my birdbrained mind I see the swallows leaving the nest before autumn leaves...

the last line is amazing and paints an amazingly vivid picture.

[TRexroth]

i love this poem, it really captures the transition,

thanks,
trexroth

[Barbriat]

A beautiful poem, AlluraD.

It's a pleasure to read and re-read.

I especially liked, "The drifting snow gives way to falling rain,
exchanging blades of rye for every flake-"
which is happening outside my window now.

We often hear of the swallow's arrival at San Juan Capistrano Mission but I've seldom read about their departure after nesting all summer - October 23. Thank you for your lovely words.

[Fenris]

You have it!

[AlluraD]

Thanks everyone for reading this one and for your posts......

Hawked and Barbriat......I knew this was a problem but couldn't think of another bird......any suggestions for a bird in the north that leaves the nest in later fall.......two syllables would be great!!! *LOL* Please..........???

[e-piph[lol]]

reference for a late nesting barn swallow in WA State? (http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:Y5PFEx9eYNkJ:www.wos.org/WABirds2.htm++%22late+nesting%22+%22pacific+northw est%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4)

here is a google link for more options? (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=+%22late+nesting%22+%22pacific+northwest%22)

[hawked]

AlluraD (and e-piph), There are always some birds that fall outside of the normal range for breeding and certain species breed later than others - Some states have breeding bird surveys that usually have information on breeding dates (and accepted late/safe dates for finding breeding pairs). I'm by no means familiar with all birds in North America, but in general, the further north or higher in latitude that one goes, the shorter the breeding season.

One suggestion that might work is to change the chronology of the line - put the swallows first and something about autumn coming to rest as the end. The last line is awesome and I'd hate to see it changed!

I think swallows are a great choice for your bird because they cover such a wide geographic range and broadens the appeal and are definitely a well known migrant.

Again, this is beautiful.

[Michael]

Allura, I agree with Margaret. “Winter Yields” is a well written, vivid Shakespearean sonnet.

The piece stays within the bounds of the form without losing the affect, the fact that things do change.
The drifting snow gives way to falling rain,
exchanging blades of rye for every flake-
I love these two lines. I think it’s the sense of “bartering” which strengthens a natural personification.

Words used to perfection, Allura! http://smilies.vidahost.com/ups/DeNiro/sun.gif