WINTER
by M. Haines
Winter comes garbed in cloud wrapped snowy white,
A wreath of scarlet berries on her hair,
And with her wizardry, has, in a night
Changed all the landscape, for she waves her hands
And snow flakes flutter down — the world is white.
Her finger-tips with silvery hoar-frost etches
Each tiny leaf and spray, a fairy sight,
Even the spider’s web with rime adorns
Nor breaks the frailest strand, her touch so deft
The tassels of the birch on slim stems quiver
Amid its leaves of gold, that still are left,
Her storm-wind scatters them, the last to fall.
The western sky she paints, in colours blent
Of gold and red, and sets the hills aflame,
Such beauty thrills, alas, so transient,
It vanishes to leave a darkening sky.
Now, she laments, ‘none love her , or desire
Her chill caresses or her kisses cold,’
And so she weeps in stormy passion dire
When, lo, her tears rain down as icicles.
– ‘Winter’ by M. Haines, Ringarooma. First published in the North-Eastern Advertiser (Scottsdale), 2 July 1946.
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Poet’s Corner is a quaint and quirky section of The Tasmanian Times. It has been designed to offer a haven to those who relish and immerse themselves in the sheer joy and pleasure emanating from English verse. Our idea is to share poems published in Tasmania during the early years of British arrival and from historical newspapers and magazines.
We would also like you to share your poetry with us. Submissions can be sent to [email protected]. Please see www.tasmaniantimes.com/contact for general submission guidelines.
