Yes, Franco, some of getting through winter is about "rest. ... wait and be patient with ourselves...reflect inwardly and dream our way back into things"... thus the classic association with hibernation. My view, and that of some people i know, is that everything is essentially alive, even the desk am working at because it still has some of the energy of the oak tree in it and because the desk is actively being a desk and not falling apart; so while there is much stillness and lack of growing plants and such like, i don't consider it a "dead season"... and i make the effort to compensate for the lack of aliveness of other seasons by paying more attention to the skies, studying the bare branches, looking for the birds, respecting what the cold air is doing, while also working to keep warm.
Thx for appreciating, Franco. And yeah, not uncommon the usage of that word, tho your poem title aptly describes some of the diminished yet aliveness of the season :)
Shedding antlers to make a hat rack. Keep busy . I look forward to shedding warm clothes and spring/summer flings using hat rack to hang my towel while I swim. But shivering right now I surmise that is a good change of pace. At least holiday chocolates don’t melt except in your mouth.I don’t mind hibernating it’s the awakening and’s looking for food just to get started again.
Wow, all of this, the "winter thin" feelings, the deep desire to hibernate, and so much more, all of this felt and, with your poem, given light to a season I have been in and not having the ability to put words to. Thank you for this, Franco. How we view our physical and mental responses to the season we are in is needed reflection and, in that, gives us a way to be gentler with ourselves as we trudge through. Regrowth from the same place of our "antler shed" is always coming, in time, in the next season. May we all be reminded of that as well. Blessings, ~Wendy💜
Truly a fantastic poem, Franco! What a piece for contemplation.
"...if only we could all lose our defining feature
once a year, and stand proud in the bitter cold
with the entirety of our defenses falling off,
crumbling, departing from us in bloody shreds..."
Oof! Yes. All of this has brought about thought and consideration of the message and very much appreciate the end commentary with questions to mull over. God, I love a poem that has me look at my own reflection! Thank you!
Just a month ago a walk up the street to check on the colony was invigorating. I felt full of music and was happy, energized. Now that it is threating bitter cold, grey skies, and biting wind, the walk beats me up. If it were not for the colony, I would not leave the house, I would stay in to read, and keep warm. I'm sure the temperature, isn't helping, but the the lack of sunshine and blue skies are, my real problem. . I do know, that the difference is profound, and not just mental, but physical as well. There was a time when I was prescribed Vitamin D for pain in my hip. He explained that a lack of Vitamin D can cause muscular pain, and the typical American diet, is lacking in Vitamin D .Some blood work confirmed it. Two weeks taking an over the counter supplement, my hip felt healed. I felt healed. If you are fair skinned, and avoid the Sun, your body can not create it's own Vitamin D, so winter is a double whammy.
Having a hard time because of the winter thinning I caught this poem late but so glad to catch it now as I get caught up cause we never can just stop and be in each season always going … resonated with this and your commentary very much. Happy wintering Franco.
Your poem is amazing. The antler shed is a rite of passage indicating survival for the next season. Winter does enervate me. We fight the otherworldliness by hiking on nature trails regularly, maintaining some focus on pleasant hobbies, and by taking in sunlight as often as possible in our ‘glam pod’. I am writing a winter blues series which began with Tuesday Tidbits: Sunshine on Our Shoulders a couple months ago.
This poem and your summary perfectly describe what winter is about and how our mind/body should naturally react this time of year. Nature pauses in her various ways, and ultimately, we are nature, so we too should find ways to pause, shed, reflect, etc. Your question about whether we feel ourselves during this time is provocative. I struggle each winter with the idea of pause; our 24/7 culture makes it damn difficult. This time of year, I tend to wander a bit aimlessly, teetering between what to do and not wanting to do anything but watch birds, walk outside, feed the deer, or create in the studio. These activities feel natural.
Incredible poem and reading Franco! Great use of metaphor b/t seeing the buck shedding its antlers vs. standing before someone(?) or Nature(?) and wishing we could shed all that's unnecessary.
it might be my favorite poem of yours, Franco
Wow thank you so much ❤️
💫
I agree!!!
Thank you, Jen! ❤️
Yes, Franco, some of getting through winter is about "rest. ... wait and be patient with ourselves...reflect inwardly and dream our way back into things"... thus the classic association with hibernation. My view, and that of some people i know, is that everything is essentially alive, even the desk am working at because it still has some of the energy of the oak tree in it and because the desk is actively being a desk and not falling apart; so while there is much stillness and lack of growing plants and such like, i don't consider it a "dead season"... and i make the effort to compensate for the lack of aliveness of other seasons by paying more attention to the skies, studying the bare branches, looking for the birds, respecting what the cold air is doing, while also working to keep warm.
This is a beautiful and profound observation. You are right. Dead is perhaps not the best word. :)
Thx for appreciating, Franco. And yeah, not uncommon the usage of that word, tho your poem title aptly describes some of the diminished yet aliveness of the season :)
Yes :)
Shedding antlers to make a hat rack. Keep busy . I look forward to shedding warm clothes and spring/summer flings using hat rack to hang my towel while I swim. But shivering right now I surmise that is a good change of pace. At least holiday chocolates don’t melt except in your mouth.I don’t mind hibernating it’s the awakening and’s looking for food just to get started again.
Thank you, Richard!
Spring has always been my favorite season, and I think “a return to life” is a great way to characterize the season.
I feel the same way about it. Can't wait for spring in New York
Gorgeous and haunting poetry!
Thanks, Samantha 💜
Wow, all of this, the "winter thin" feelings, the deep desire to hibernate, and so much more, all of this felt and, with your poem, given light to a season I have been in and not having the ability to put words to. Thank you for this, Franco. How we view our physical and mental responses to the season we are in is needed reflection and, in that, gives us a way to be gentler with ourselves as we trudge through. Regrowth from the same place of our "antler shed" is always coming, in time, in the next season. May we all be reminded of that as well. Blessings, ~Wendy💜
Thank you, Wendy 💜
Truly a fantastic poem, Franco! What a piece for contemplation.
"...if only we could all lose our defining feature
once a year, and stand proud in the bitter cold
with the entirety of our defenses falling off,
crumbling, departing from us in bloody shreds..."
Oof! Yes. All of this has brought about thought and consideration of the message and very much appreciate the end commentary with questions to mull over. God, I love a poem that has me look at my own reflection! Thank you!
Many blessings and MIUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Thank you for your kind words Wendy. I'm very happy that this poem was illuminating for you.
Just a month ago a walk up the street to check on the colony was invigorating. I felt full of music and was happy, energized. Now that it is threating bitter cold, grey skies, and biting wind, the walk beats me up. If it were not for the colony, I would not leave the house, I would stay in to read, and keep warm. I'm sure the temperature, isn't helping, but the the lack of sunshine and blue skies are, my real problem. . I do know, that the difference is profound, and not just mental, but physical as well. There was a time when I was prescribed Vitamin D for pain in my hip. He explained that a lack of Vitamin D can cause muscular pain, and the typical American diet, is lacking in Vitamin D .Some blood work confirmed it. Two weeks taking an over the counter supplement, my hip felt healed. I felt healed. If you are fair skinned, and avoid the Sun, your body can not create it's own Vitamin D, so winter is a double whammy.
I would love to see a Moose in the wild.
Having a hard time because of the winter thinning I caught this poem late but so glad to catch it now as I get caught up cause we never can just stop and be in each season always going … resonated with this and your commentary very much. Happy wintering Franco.
Thank you, Lisa. Happy wintering to you as well. And happy new year.
Your poem is amazing. The antler shed is a rite of passage indicating survival for the next season. Winter does enervate me. We fight the otherworldliness by hiking on nature trails regularly, maintaining some focus on pleasant hobbies, and by taking in sunlight as often as possible in our ‘glam pod’. I am writing a winter blues series which began with Tuesday Tidbits: Sunshine on Our Shoulders a couple months ago.
Thank you, Cori ❤️
friends of the San Francisco Public Library support your work. davpi3.14
Thank you, David :)
Yes, wintering! Great one, franco.
Thank you, Mary ❤️
This poem and your summary perfectly describe what winter is about and how our mind/body should naturally react this time of year. Nature pauses in her various ways, and ultimately, we are nature, so we too should find ways to pause, shed, reflect, etc. Your question about whether we feel ourselves during this time is provocative. I struggle each winter with the idea of pause; our 24/7 culture makes it damn difficult. This time of year, I tend to wander a bit aimlessly, teetering between what to do and not wanting to do anything but watch birds, walk outside, feed the deer, or create in the studio. These activities feel natural.
Thank you, Michelle. I completely agree!
Cool, Franco - thanks - Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Giulietta ❤️ 🎄
Incredible poem and reading Franco! Great use of metaphor b/t seeing the buck shedding its antlers vs. standing before someone(?) or Nature(?) and wishing we could shed all that's unnecessary.
Thank you very much VP.
Um 'winter thin' that is a great expression - stripped away like the antlers on the buck
Thank you, Anne. I'm glad you like it.