winterberries
Before the winter snows are entirely gone, I want to share this poem. All through the winter months, winterberry holly clings to its bright orange-red berries, refusing to let go …
~
~
~
winterberries
~
berries of holly persist
long into winter, cling to
the bough, after leaves have fallen
~
grief refuses to let go
~
but what is one berry among
so many – in the end all
berries desiccate and die
~
birds wheel in limitless sky
look below and see
one red pixel punctuates
vast emptiness of snow
~
~
Copyright 2014 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
Oh, I wonder if I may touch up the contrast in colors a bit, if you allow me to use it. The background is not quite the shade I had in mind for my poem. If you do mind, I most certainly understand.
LikeLike
Holistic Wayfarer
April 19, 2014 at 12:07 am
Hi. Yes, but please make a note in the credit. I look forward to seeing the result! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
April 22, 2014 at 11:37 am
Now I know what winterberries look like. Almanzo Wilder – in Laura Wingalls’ Farmer Boy – talks of overdosing on them while picking, in the winter. =) May I post this painting to go with my poem? The caption would link back to your blog, Jane. Hope to hear back asap. If I post before hearing from you and you give me the go-ahead, I might still add it.
Diana
LikeLike
Holistic Wayfarer
April 19, 2014 at 12:03 am
Hi Diane. Yes, please do! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
April 22, 2014 at 11:36 am
There’s a few winterberry shrubs that are growing near the road out front on our property here and all have there berries still on them. Behind the shrubs are tall snow banks. Makes for a striking image and somehow wistfully conjures up thoughts of a longed for spring whenever I see them. I’ll have to take a picture of them and send it to you before the snow bank melts away (If it ever will).
*(See I told you I would comment. Even a long one at that. All you have to do is whine about it. I dare you to include this last part of the comment ;-))
Denis
LikeLike
JD
March 13, 2014 at 10:26 am
Hi. I am grateful for any comment from you. I hope you take a photo of the berries. Those snowbanks are melting … Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:21 am
So perfect – the painting and the words. Takes my breath away.
LikeLike
francisguenette
March 13, 2014 at 12:09 am
Hi Fran. Thanks! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:19 am
Beautiful.
LikeLike
Robin
March 12, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Hi Robin. Thanks! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:19 am
words and painting both beautiful
LikeLike
kiwiskan
March 12, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Hi. Thanks! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:19 am
“Before the winter snows are entirely gone”? No rush. I figure ya still got a window of eight weeks or so. Glad you didn’t wait, though. Lovely poem. (And it’s true – the birds will end up with everything.) By the way (and you’ll notice my age here; non of this BTW stuff), there are great patches of deciduous holly along the roadside heading to McAdam. They’ll grow in a foot of water. Thanks again for the poem.
LikeLike
Neil
March 12, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Hi Neil. The winterberry holly also grows profusely in the big bog just across from the Regent Mall in Fredericton. I will look for it next time we go to McAdam. Snow, in spite of rain, is leaving very slowly. Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:18 am
“grief refuses to let go” – I’ve been feeling this lately. Jane, thanks for reminding me of some of the beauty to be found in winter and its bright berries. Your painting has refreshed my spirits!
LikeLike
Barbara Rodgers
March 12, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Hi Barbara. Thanks. I am glad my poem and painting helped. I am looking forward to spring now arrived on the calendar but not on our lawn. Under all that snow are crocuses! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 21, 2014 at 9:16 am