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Flanked in winter's veil. Photo of Shibazakura (lawn cherry blossoms) by Selma.

A Bussokuseki Series: Brigid and I

flanked in winter’s veil
signs that spring is rather near
before you know it
Brigid will whisk whisk away
this curtain of fall glory
as she escorts the flowers

she will run the show
have more say about the air
snow will weep dew drops
I worry if the Groundhog
is up for the task at hand
I cannot not think of spring

clockwise and counter
will sprout the phlox and pansies
my soul salutes them
keen to join up with shadow
it’s less a dream than ever
bleached grasses will flower green

© selma

Kigo: winter’s veil, Groundhog, bleached grasses.

Note:
I chose Winter’s Veil instead of Winter’s Depth to show respect to my friends
whose Winters are fiercer than ours.
Groundhog Day is a celebration in North America; not Japan, but I used Groundhog
as a tease for I do want to reunite with my shadow that cloudy days don’t allow me
to see.

A Bussokuseki Series written for Tanka Tuesday, 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge,
No. 19, 1/30/24, Part II: Deep Cold for January 30, 2024


Thank you for reading.
Happy February.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 41 Comments

  1. writerravenclaw

    Our winters aren’t that cold, this year hasn’t anyway. You know Spring is around the corner when the daffodils start sprouting.

    1. Selma Martin

      Oh yes. The daffodils. What a joy to see them arrive. Enjoy what’s left of the season. Xo

      1. willowdot21

        I do love these Selma they are so evocative…. 💜💜

  2. Colleen Chesebro

    I like winter’s veil, Selma. It’s a lovely description of the gray Lake Michigan gloom that hangs over my neighborhood. You created a magic series, full of hope for an early spring. 🌸

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad you liked the series, Colleen. The signs are present. If only the clouds would let the sun through already. Hope Brigid makes it to your parts soon. Xo thanks for the nudge to write on the seasons. Wonderful.
      I meant frost glory. I’ll edit that one day…

      1. Colleen Chesebro

        LOL! It’s all good. The groundhog didn’t see his shadow so it’s an early spring for us! WOO HOO!

    1. Selma Martin

      May Brigid hear you and may the old man relinquish the thermostat to her already. 😆 I wrote a post about that last year…
      Thanks for reading. And the comments 👏🏽

  3. Elizabeth

    I see you are also counting the days for the lady Spring to show up! Beautiful poem, Selma!

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks so much, Elizabeth. I appreciate how we’re all readying for Brigid xoxo 😃

  4. dorahak

    So beautifully conceived and executed. Love it!

  5. Jennifer Pentland

    So lovely, Selma! 🩷 A beautiful reminder that spring is just around the corner. I can’t wait until the flowers start blooming again. ☀️🌸🌷 🌼

    1. Selma Martin

      The signs are out now. So beautiful. Cannot wait.

      1. Jennifer Pentland

        That’s wonderful! 🌷 We still have a couple of months to go before spring is where I live. We still have snow on the ground.

  6. memadtwo

    I hope to reunite with my shadow too! I like the way your words move toward spring. (K)

    1. Selma Martin

      Haven’t seen my shadow in a while. Can’t wait for the happy reunion.
      Thanks for reading, K.

  7. rajkkhoja

    Beautiful spring blooming. Nice pink colour bloom.
    Very interesting poem written. “clockwise and counter
    will sprout the phlox and pansies
    my soul salutes them
    keen to join up with shadow”

    1. Selma Martin

      So pleased you enjoyed this Raj. Thanks for pointing to those words. Xoxo. Spring is almost here.

      1. rajkkhoja

        Very nice growing there spring. I like.

        1. Selma Martin

          Spring is close one day, and far another day. 😂 But it’s coming 👏🏽

          1. rajkkhoja

            Yes, That’s coming we are waiting ☺️!

  8. Luanne

    Selma, winter’s veil is an intriguing image. These are lovely.

    1. Selma Martin

      So happy you liked that my friend. Blessings and congratulations 🎉 👣

  9. Ali Grimshaw

    Within the winter season it helps to have the hope of flowers to come. Your poem made me think of this kind of hope.

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s lovely to have this hope. Thanks so much Ali. Blessings.

    1. Selma Martin

      Oh gosh. Shakespeare Songs. Well… it’s taken me half a century to come to know this.
      ‘Tis delightful.
      Thanks for introducing me to this YouTube song. Bless you.
      Happy spring, Ralll and if your seasons are different, just be happy. 😆 blessings and hugs.

  10. Gwen M. Plano

    Beautiful, Selma. In our area, there are fleeting signs of Spring. 😊

  11. ben Alexander

    Selma, I love how your verses skillfully blend nature’s transitions with a sense of eager expectation. It’s just wonderful.

    ~David

  12. brazannemuse

    Lovely, Snow will weep dew drops – I especially like that line
    💞Suzanne

  13. msjadeli

    Cute on reuniting with your shadow, and thoughtful on “winter’s veil” and it feels just like that, Selma. I love the top image. A splash of color on some pretty tough-looking foliage.

  14. D. Wallace Peach

    A wonderful bussokuseki, Selma. You make the stanzas look effortless. <3

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