Frost Without Borders
The Sound of First Frost Challenge entry inspired by A Hard Frost by Cecil Day Lewis and comparing frost in Scotland to Ukraine.
The frost came after dark, stealing our world,
replacing it with a promise of winter
windowpanes resplendent in white lilac
as lawns of furry grass stand erect
fields in the countryside are ablaze
with pure white diamond sprinkles
#
Despite death's silent work—of trees, of plants—
transformation's afoot beneath the surface
frost holds to the seeds until it is time
to sprout their roots and breathe new life
#
Frost—it knows no borders; in its hostile takeover
lays across beauty here, but elsewhere, despair
#
My thoughts turn eastwards
to lands of turmoil, war
where frost coats debris, despair
where tomorrow is far from promised
Does it snow in Ukraine? I Google
"Winters in Ukraine are cold, snowy"
temperatures drop well below freezing
#
It makes me wonder, ponder—
Does Ukraine experience first frost as we do?
surely not, as its coating here heralds
the end of the year and the start of another
as here, frost coats grass, buildings,
there its powdered sugar coat covers missiles, debris, despair
as tanks carve paths through the frozen land
#
frost offers no promise or renewal or warmth
only silence, heavy like frost on desecrated ground
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Originally for the Frosted Verse challenge, but being entered into the The Sound of First Frost Challenge, from the POV of a Scot, myself, pondering the first frost here compared to that in Ukraine. Also, spurred on by the question posed in the poem about whether it snows in Ukraine or not. I had a feeling it did. Some parts have reworked nods to Cecil Day Lewis's beautiful and stirring A Hard Frost. You can read by following the link below:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Rachel Reviews: The Spiral Archive by Pieter Hendrik
It's difficult for me to know where to start with a review of this book as it was, for me, an entirely unique experience and one that I'll probably never have again. I don't want that to be interpreted as unenjoyable but it has left me scratching my head a little and ruminating on its content, its themes and its characters.
By Rachel Deeming6 days ago in BookClub
Comments (17)
Oh my gosh, pal, this hit hard. So much emotion and PERSPECTIVE! What a gorgeous and deep work of art. I often wonder how I got so lucky, to be and live a life of peace while others suffer. Thank you for writing this. Evoked new feelings of gratitude for "our" frost.
I love the title of this and how you explore such contemplations about Ukraine so fluidly. Really outstanding take on the challenge!
A poignant poem, my liege, which confirms that worlds that are radically different are bound together by something as universal and easily ignored as frost.
Wow. Wow! This hits so hard. Phenomenal, poetic contradiction between beauty and violence. I’m subscribing right now. If this doesn’t place in the challenge I will be shocked and dismayed. That line about powdered sugar on missiles really had me. Again, wow!
It does snow a lot in Ukraine, especially in its eastern parts. That’s exactly why Putin has intensified shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure recently, to leave people without power and warmth in the coming winter. Beautiful poem, Paul!
Beautifully thought provoking… frost etc certainly would make war zones infinitely worse!
I love this - it's strange how you don't think of 'normal things' like frost happening in a war zone. I think Lana posted a story the other day saying the war had reached its 1000 day milestone. A horrific marker. Thought your poem captured this beautifully and I love your last two lines.
I imagine the frost lays heavier in Ukraine. Beautiful work, buddy.
*Caveat* I hate the cold. Had to wear a jacket INDOORS whilst reading your poem. But Paul, it was majestic and all that they asked for in this challenge. Well done!
A beautiful entry- to connect people with events in common. Also thank you for sharing the Cecil Day Lewis poem, another beauty.
This was a very different take on the challenge. Made me think a lot. I loved it!
What a punch! yet wonderfully described!
Paul, If I could write poetry for one day like you I would be happy. How you add so much emotion is incredible. I cannot express how this made me feel,being of Ukrainian heritage. This means alot.
Oh, Paul this is so crisp and thought-provoking! The way you’ve taken something as delicate as frost and tied it to such heavy realities—brilliant. Love how it flows from serene to sobering with such ease. Properly chilling (pun intended).✨😊
makes a case for beauty is in the eyes of the beholder... nice work
That is so good! This poem does an amazing job showing how frost can be both beautiful and harsh. The imagery really pulls you in, and the mix of personal thoughts with bigger issues feels so real. It’s deep and hits hard. ✨🙌
Great poem in my eyes but the world of winter and frosty mornings are what I am wishing for but will not get where I live presently.