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Choir of Ice

A poem of winter wonders

By Alison McBainPublished about a year ago 1 min read
Second Place in Frosted Verse Challenge
Choir of Ice
Photo by Kevin Cress on Unsplash

Let us sing winter’s anthem—

crystal drops on cracked branches,

staccato beats in frosted window glass,

choruses of cardinals warbling soft carols

into skies washed clean of clouds,

the wind bitter across our cheeks

like unsugared cranberries at Christmas.

The tune is light and heavy at once,

a scatter of notes grave with cold

marking either a season’s brief slumber

or an enduring rest in peace.

Songs change key,

flat notes tuned to the conductor

who taps her baton in a one-two beat

and yawns as the hymn becomes lullaby.

A diminuendo of snowflakes

muffle nature’s melody and verse

when sighing instruments are laid down

with a rapture of fulfillment.

The crisp chill of morning

whispers into hushed anticipation—

mute,

silent,

still.

By eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on Unsplash

nature poetry

About the Creator

Alison McBain

Alison McBain writes fiction & poetry, edits & reviews books, and pens a webcomic called “Toddler Times.” In her free time, she drinks gallons of coffee & pretends to be a pool shark at her local pub. More: http://www.alisonmcbain.com/

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Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

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    Well-structured & engaging content

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Comments (17)

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  • Susan Payton10 months ago

    And yawns as the hymns become lullabies.. Absolutely beautiful. Nicely Done!!

  • Rachel Deemingabout a year ago

    I like the extended metaphor here and all the imagery you use to build it. Very vivid.

  • Rudolph Lingensabout a year ago

    Beautifully written. Some great lines in there and I loved how you chose to word and structure the end of the poem!

  • C. Rommial Butlerabout a year ago

    A well-wrought reflection on winter and a well-deserved win! I love the Northern Cardinal. He and his elegant, more furtive mate are daily actors who bring joy in the theater outside my kitchen window!

  • Gregory Paytonabout a year ago

    Congratulations on Second Place Win! - Well Deserved!

  • Marilyn Gloverabout a year ago

    Congratulations Allison on your second place win! Musical inclinations gift Winter a well deserved song. Lovely work!

  • PK Colleranabout a year ago

    Really lovely. Congratulations on the well-deserved win. ☃️❄️

  • Matthew Mccaheyabout a year ago

    Congrats on the win!

  • Killianabout a year ago

    This is really beautiful 💚 Congratulations!

  • Cindy Calderabout a year ago

    Such a lovely poem! Congratulations on earning 2nd place with its lush, vivid imagery!

  • I loved the musical theme throughout… congratulations 🤩.

  • Dana Crandellabout a year ago

    Lovely imagery. Congratulations!

  • Babs Iversonabout a year ago

    Superb nature poem!!! Congratulations on 2nd place win!!!❤️❤️💕

  • Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊

  • Natalie Wilkinsonabout a year ago

    Congratulations Alison! What a beautiful poem.

  • Sean A.about a year ago

    Great job and congratulations!

  • This was stunning! Such a beautiful poem!

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