“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
from “Travels With Charley: In Search of America” by John Steinbeck
On this day (Independence Day in the United States) we consider this quote. There are many comparisons implied or assumed in this line. Summer to winter, warmth and cold, good and bad, bitter and sweet. Write a two phase poem writing about two converse items and find a balance within. You might make your title the comparison: Hot and Cold, Light and Dark… But, be sure to mention summer somewhere in your poem! (We are celebrating summer after all!)
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
Soon off to Heathrow to pick-up John. I am overly excited.
White Summers and Black Winters
Age has taken the heat
out of us. Petals detach,
day on day. Aimless as
steamboats. Once adrift,
we were the sun, bright,
a chase of white summer
heat. Our days fast and
irresistibly flushed.
We were brassy. Sassy
as a full moon, and we
were steady, trembling
with excitement. But
age has taken the heat
out of us. We still flow —
some days motionless.
Our dawn is the moving sky,
and we nap our way through
black winters. Our dreams,
they split like water. And
we take to walking sticks,
and trembling hands. We are
a thousand silver bubbles,
not quite ready to burst
into the knife-sharp-light.
.
© Misky 2016
I’m speechless with awe. Age renders the beauty of wisdom which renders great poetry! love the whole thing and esp. the ending.
Thanks so much! I’m delighted you like it.
🙂
Age does indeed (when you mix in a little wisdom) take the heat out of us, tempers it to a steady glow. AND, I love …
“We are
a thousand silver bubbles,
not quite ready to burst
into the knife-sharp-light.”
I rather fancy myself as a silver bubble bouncing about… 😀
Me too, for myself and the vision of a Misky bubble : )
This is such a calming piece. Wonderful.
Gulp! An incredible rendering of words and stripe! I love how all of our poets have raised the bar with each successive prompt. Much as you have right here, Marilyn!
Oh my, what a beautiful look at aging!
Such sharp imagery in this, and of course, wonderful contrast. I love your use of, a thousand silver bubbles.
Far-off Nearby
We are quite different, my dear, you and I
My numbered years with your much younger vie
Yesterday, as if stating something quite new
You declared, I’ll never see eye to eye with you
And I couldn’t help but smile just a bit
As I recalled the wee while when you used to fit
In the crook of my arms without a fight
Our only battle-line drawn in middle-night
Then I thought these days were far-off as the sky
That waits winter-gray for true-blue of July
While the white storm howls through saplings standing free
Against the jowls of nature in the shelter of full-grown trees
©Janet Martin
Oh, my goodness, Janet… “Our only battle-line drawn in middle-night”… this speaks eloquently to the relationship. Sweet and tart that, hopefully, matures to
an elixir of respect and love. Sometimes, as parents we despair but for me it has turned out beautifully.
Thank-you. I don’t even ask that we see eye to eye because our viewpoints often change as time changes our point of view! My girls are all close to me in very different and special ways…it keep life interesting and mother on her toes;-)
There’s magic in them there words, especially, for me, “jowls of nature.”
thank-you William:)
vie, wee, crook, howls, saplings, jowls… Great words! You brought our the “heavy artillery” for this poem, Janet. I am awed and ensconced in oohs and aahs!
thank-you Walt:)
😀
such truth in these beautifully penned words
‘the jowls of nature’ – What a powerful phrase, Janet. Your kids are lucky to have you for a mom.
SUMMER LOVE: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
Love is the corner we turn
that leads us to why we are here.
Though we must shield our eyes
from the brightness of its sun,
gold rays can transform our hearts
and make us God’s true children.
Some say love can surely burn,
that we would be wise if we fear
what can prove our demise.
We can stand or we can run;
pay the price each time love starts,
but only if we’re willing.
#
immensely beautiful!
Indeed so
(This ended up in the wrong spot-sorry)
“Some say love can surely burn” there is always a risk and a choice, but, like you I’m willing to take that calculated chance.
I must say Sal, your work has grown immensely since last our garden grew! There is a celestial vibe in your words that is both comforting and provocative!
I say, go for it! This is a thoughtful, beautiful poem, Sal.
What a marvellous piece. I’m especially drawn to “all the shades of element mixed.”
Oh, summer is this why with such frenzy
I embrace your golden light, dread the entry
of winter’s shivery silver lusterless matte
when my mood becomes shriveled, flat?
…this stanza literally stole my breath! the whole poem an ebb and flow of emotion right through the final powerful stanza. amazing!
Thanks Janet
As I had posted on your blog:
Yeah! What the Flashpoetguy said! You have grown in your work as well, Debi. I love that both you and Sal have rejoined our garden. Such beauty grows when you both plant here!
Ah, thank Walt. Glad to be back.
How much more enjoyable is a summer day, after a hard winter. Lovely, Debi!
“Some say love can surely burn” there is always a risk and a choice, but, like you I’m willing to take that calculated chance.
LATE SEPTEMBER
When the autumn comes
and brings harvest sums
to the summer’s crop of maize
and the red-tinged trees
and the chickadees
await frost and shortened days,
there’s no hint of cold
in the vesper gold
as the juncos coast to ground,
but the very sight
of one grey-backed sprite
hints that chills will soon abound.
I looked up the sprite. Pretty bird… we have our own indicators here for winter. Lovely rhymes and glimpse of nature’s scenes.
Your first line would make a delicious poetry prompt! I’ve read this a few times; SUCH a treat to the senses!
“no hint of cold
in the vesper gold” – Such beauty in those words, William.
Summer
Green, hot
Swimming, gardening, picnicking
Creeks, rivers, lakes, hills,
Sledding, skating, skiing
White, cold
Winter
I love the progression from Summer to Winter, Connie!
Six degrees of separation, as it were!
summer green, winter white and all the colors in between make for lovely seasons.
ooh-la-la! yes! love ’em all.
My thoughts exactly.
Sorry; meant to echo Walt’s comment.
Like seasons packing up their bags to await the next one in line.
THE WARMTH OF SUMMER
Solstice has passed and at long last
summer beams, steamy temperatures
to nurture a heart until the leaves fall
and starts the winter approaching.
Always a buffer, one never
encroaching on the other. Seasonal
sister and brother separated by their
sedate cousins spread across a dozen months.
Spring and Fall call in their time, but I’m
warmed by the summer sun as long
as it fulfills its run until winter comes!
I think if I didn’t have that buffer between summer and winter I couldn’t stand it.
I agree, Debi. That buffer is all-important.
wow. and ensemble of great lines! I esp. like this;
Always a buffer, one never
encroaching on the other.
I often reread your poetry because of all the wonderful internal rhyme tucked throughout…music to the tongue!
This poem is warm, too.
Feelin’ Groovy
As inevitably as winter leads to spring,
leads to summer, fall follows.
Today looks to be a good day,
nothing too grand, nor magical
simply a few hours of quiet enjoyment,
some idle conversation with friends,
cheered on by the crisp sunlight of early summer,
hands shielding eyes against the glare,
smelling the ocean in the thin clouds,
down here, close to the border with Mexico.
The frigid mornings of winter are gone now,
but summer still sleeps,
not quite ready for her big entrance.
We are just past the solstice, and she’s still young,
so, satisfied, we capture bits
of today’s breezy brilliance,
enlivened by the simple pleasure of it all,
grateful for this good day.
As inevitably as spring leads to summer,
fall must follow, and then again winter.
As assuredly as heart leads to joy,
love soon follows.
As completely as love leads to sharing,
peace eventually follows.
As securely as peace leads to calm,
life truly follows.
As predictably as life leads to death,
new life always follows.
And so it is.
“As predictably as life leads to death,
new life always follows.” Ah, yes, in more ways than one. Lovely thought.
No homily could be better.
and so it goes, Daniel–seasons of life.
And you as well, Daniel. Such magnificence and growth of spirit I have seen in your words. It is an extreme honor to have you among our numbers!
[…] POETIC BLOOMINGS “An Entertaining Summer” July P.A.D. – Day# 4: And I Quote Summer […]
Freedom or Slavery
Election year summer in full swing
Time to rally the loyal and dedicated
Time to persuade the undecided
And time to buy the rest
Election year summer; here we go again
Time to promise that which cannot be
Time to blame those on the other team
And time to spend billions
Election year summer; the nation at risk
At risk of picking the wrong candidate
At risk of handing power to the corrupt
And at risk of freedoms lost
Election year summer; all hands on deck
It’s time to listen to what’s being said
It’s time to understand the consequences
And it’s time to vote
Election year summer; what will we choose
Will we choose to save our precious nation
Will we choose to vote America first
Or will we vote selfish pride
Election year summer; America in the balance
Freedom in the balance
Slavery on the horizon
Vote wisely, my friend
© Earl Parsons
Who was it that said that we get the kind of elected leaders that we deserve
Spot on!
Too true, that line.
Summer or winter
Personally I like fall
Cool, colorful, fall
…yes, I see, but winter, I think you’ll agree, is the coolest of them all
Daniel – I grew up in the Great White Northeast. Winters are way too cold, especially for these old bones. And that’s why I live in Florida.
Nothing like autumn in New York.
Spring and Fall: A Kid’s Fib
Such
joy!
Springing
out the door
into summer days.
The sun and fun never ended…
’til too soon we were
falling back
into
school
desks.
I love a good fib, Rob! This fits the bill!
Thanks, Walt
So accurate and so well constructed
Thank you, Daniel
Brilliant!!
Thanks, Janet
Ah, those distant memories….
Seems like summer is just a blip when you are school aged.
I love this, Rob. My mother used to taunt us at the end of summer by singing, The Party’s Over.
Hahaha….
[…] Prompt: And I Quote Summer […]
Wet and Dry
I hope for rain
a gentle rain to
soak the ground
water my parched
plants, fill the puddles
for the birds
You wish for sun
a bright sun that
warms the air
an invitation to
come outside and play
and when the sun shines through the rain
we find our hopes and wishes
mingled in a summer rainbow
Bingo!
Yes, hopes and wishes mingled – perfect
You have captured perfect contrast, Candy!
Flour In The Balance
Add more brown sugar
if you want a sweeter
flavor. Add more vinegar
to tang it up. Add more hot
sauce to spice it just right.
Keep tasting, simmer
slowly. If you have juggled
your ingredients well,
your barbecue sauce
will be tangy, hot, and sweet.
Slather it on!
Just a quick note to tell all of you how much I am enjoying our growing garden, and its many talented blooms.
LOOKING BACK / FORWARD MARCH
We line the street
Despite the heat;
Await the beat
Of drums.
The cadence stirs
My heart, and spurs
Excitement! Here
It comes!
The Stars and Stripes
And countless types
Of instruments
Pass by.
The pride I feel
Is deep and real
Beneath mid-
Summer’s sky.
My father’s band,
Baton in hand
Directing more
Than tunes.
His students find
He’s guided minds
And morals
Many moons.
Time marched along
So fast. So long,
Oh fleeting song
Of summer.
Now winter’s come
And slowed the drum –
But oh, I love
The drummer.
(With love and great respect for Dad … drummer, conductor, teacher, father)
© Marie Elena Good, 2016
You can’t beat your Dad! But as long as he has the beat you’re walking in rhythm! Love the rhyme and rhythm of this!
SUMMER AND WINTER CHILDREN
BEAT THE ODDS
So many said we wouldn’t last
Me – born a winter child
beneath the sign of the confused
fishes – one swimming up,
one opposite.
You – a true summer being,
birthed regally, a Leo, one
of the fire signs.
I could appreciate the skepticism
water and fire signs together –
didn’t bode well.
Until it did – there’s no astrological
accounting for the passion we’ve found.
Against all odds, you fired alive
my winters, and I soothed
your overheated summers
without putting out the love
that’s smoldered between
us these many decades.
Even now, you have just to glance
at me and I’m gone
You tell me it’s the same for you
and I’ve no reason to doubt
We know how lucky we are – love
is rare enough, love and passion?
I hesitate to name it lest it evaporate.
You wink, flash your dimples,
coax me to turn out the lights. Okay.
[…] Day 4 at Poetic Bloomings PAD Challenge: “And I Quote Summer,” asks us to paint comparisons. […]
Catching up! Will begin reading soon.
The Good and the Bad
Windows open to let the breeze blow in
but not the bugs.
Grass between the toes
but not the dog do-do.
Butterflies tickling your skin
but not those ticks or mosquitos.
Watermelon dribbling down your chin
but not the bird bombs from overhead.
The smell of freshly mowed grass
but not the gasoline.
Roads being fixed
but not the smell of freshly poured asphalt – headache!
Windows open at night
but not the Fourth of July weekend.
Ah, summer –
a love and hate season.
This prompt eluded me when I saw it a week ago…finally catching up, posting my haibun, here. I’ll include it on my blog later.
ALONE IN A CROWD
The family “summer vacations” are planned. Money laid away. And children are counting the days until they hit their favorite vacation spots. I will see some go to the beach to play in sand and surf; others, to the Happiest Place on earth. Photos will be taken…many of which I will offer to take so dad or mom is not left out. Souvenirs purchased. Memories will be made, and each family will go their own way at the end of the day. Together. And I will return to my home. Alone.
sightseeing
is sometimes obstructed
by my own views
[…] Shared at Poetic Bloomings: AN ENTERTAINING SUMMER – DAY #4: AND I QUOTE SUMMER […]