snow hollow at the base of a tree
Words are the tools of a writer’s craft. I literally wallow in words when I write a poem. Sometimes the right word comes immediately to mind. Sometimes I have to search for it, sometimes for days or weeks. When I do the final edits for a poem, I ‘press’ on every word, to make sure it is absolutely right.
Sometimes, I encounter an idea or image that seems to have no word. For example, I have searched for a word referring to the charming hollow that builds next to the base of a tree when the snow falls. Sometimes small animals use this hollow for a temporary den. Sometimes it’s a place where debris gathers, as it does in the corners of alleyways. Sometimes it is a calm, beckoning place where snow shadows rest in shades of olive green and blue.
I wonder if there is a name for these elusive places, perhaps in another language.
~
~
snow hollow
~
snow shuns the tree
manifest in the hollow
the empty gather of wind
at the base of the fir
~
where snow-shoe hares find
shelter or dry leaves skipping
across a crust of snow
assemble and rest
~
inside curve to fit
the spine of an animal
the heart of a man
curled against the cold
~
a place where shadows meet
select blue from the prism of all
indigo to illustrate the space
of no snow, no warmth, no light
~
~
© Jane Tims 2011
nichepoetryandprose 
Several years ago, I had the same dilemma and decided to call them tree wells. Now I see I’m not the only one!
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Deborah Carr
December 29, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Tree wells…I like this term! However, all our tree wells are gone again today!!! Jane
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jane tims
December 29, 2011 at 8:56 pm
I always thought of those places as magical when I was a child. It is where I would go to enter another world, a snow portal.
Love this post, Jane. It’s beautiful. 🙂
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Robin
December 28, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Hi Robin. Thanks! And ‘snow portal’ is a great name for these spaces! Jane
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jane tims
December 28, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Like Robin, I used to spend a lot of time in these “snow portals” when I was little. I like that name! Definitely a place of wonder and magic… I want to climb into your photo, Jane!
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Barbara Rodgers
January 9, 2012 at 10:56 am
Small, cozy spaces… Jane
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jane tims
January 12, 2012 at 10:53 am
Lovely, Jane!
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artboy68
December 27, 2011 at 10:51 am
Up on the mountain we call them ‘tree wells’.
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artboy68
December 27, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Hi. That’s the second name I’ve recieved… If I get enough, I’ll run a poll! Jane
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jane tims
December 27, 2011 at 4:00 pm
How about Snow dish!
Merry Christmas Jane.
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Jim
December 26, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Hi Jim. Awesome suggestion. If I get enough suggestions, I will run a poll! Thanks and Merry Christmas! Jane
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jane tims
December 26, 2011 at 8:34 pm