Midwinter Day
first collaborative poem of the year
In the Dominican Republic where I’m from, when we're about to give someone something we’ve long since promised we would, you’ll hear us say: lo prometido es deuda. A phrase which, if translated literally, simply means: “what is promised is a debt.”
Now, I’m sure there’s an English or American equivalent to this saying, but I couldn’t recall one. So, lo prometido es deuda.
January was frigid in Ohio. Way below freezing temperatures and whipping, icy winds were the norm. January was also beautiful in Ohio. Snow fell from heaven in a gentle, silent way and its long lasting presence meant we got to enjoy a winter wonderland for almost an entire month.
It is in the spirit of a snow-filled January that I share this poem—the perfect kick off to my collaborative poetry series and the perfect farewell to this wintery first month of the year.
With a total of 16 replies to the picture prompt I sent out at the beginning of the month, this poem was a bit intimidating to write—in the best way. It challenged my creativity and prompted me to seek out overarching themes/ideas that could bring all of these responses* together into one cohesive piece.
I hope I did all of your words justice! Happy Reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
*It’s important to note that not all responses are included word for word. Some have been slightly tweaked or added to in order to create steady poetic flow.
Midwinter Day When for just a moment, heaven and earth drape matching ivory quilts over themselves and the naked trees seem to me as lonely as soldiers in trenches, I sigh. My breath, one dusty fog, is no match for the silence of midwinter. It is not a regular kind of silence. It is a sacred silence—crystalline serenity—like that of walking into a vast cathedral. I sigh, like that of my own heart. Where snow fairies sprinkle their icy magic and my tears are but melted snow trickling through the gutters of my thawing soul. I sigh. These are the peaceful days. The days reserved for guiltless snuggling beneath the weight of a thousand blankets. The days for wet socks drying by the fireside. The days of rest for worn out sojourners, tired of the crunch of crushing steps. I sigh, notice marble slab skies overhead. The sun awakening again the dazzle of the ice. Each once lonely, naked tree now afire. - r.e.g.
Contributors in order of appearance within the poem:
Thank you
for offering the phrase, “When earth and heaven wear matching clothes for just a moment.”Thank you
for offering the words, “Ivory quilt.”Thank you
for offering the words, “Naked trees.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “The trees are as lonely as soldiers in trenches.”Thank you
for offering the word, “Dusty.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “Crystalline serenity.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “A sacred silence, like that of walking into a vast cathedral.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “Snow fairies sprinkle their icy magic.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “Melted snow trickling through gutters.”Thank you
for offering the word “Peaceful.”Thank you
for offering the words, “Weighted blanket,” and for offering the phrase, “Snuggled beneath quilted covers.” I mixed both of your phrases in the second to last stanza!Thank you
for offering the words, “Wet socks.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “An icy crunch beneath our feet.” I didn’t want to use the word icy twice in the poem, so I incorporated the overall meaning of your phrase in the second to last stanza and used the word crunch!Thank you
for offering the phrase, “Marble slab skies.”Thank you
for offering the phrase, “Sun awakes the dazzle of the ice: each tree branch afire.”
I definitely took some creative license in how I used all of these, but they were wonderful contributions nonetheless. I couldn’t have written this midwinter poem without the help of each of these talented individuals. Thank you!
Want to participate in this month’s collaborative poem? Check out the call below!
Special Valentine’s Day Offer! <3
Would you, or anyone you know, love the gift of year-round poetry prints? If so, this offer is for you!
Starting today, paid subscriptions to In Light of Eternity will be 25% off—$3.75/month or $45/year. Consider this the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to yourself or someone else you know and love. Click the link below to access the discounted rate. This offer will end on Friday, February 14th, 2025.
When you become a paid subscriber, here’s how I say a special thanks to you:
You become a member of my poetry penpal club, which means you’ll receive a typewritten print of one of my poems in the mail every month! These are perfect for framing or gifting.
You’re automatically entered into a yearly custom poem giveaway.
In Light of Eternity,
Rosa.
I live in the part of the US that never gets any snow. I've only seen it a couple times in my whole life when we have traveled. So I really love reading poetry and other posts from those of you who do. A lot of people have moved here to "escape the cold and snow" and don't really have nice things to say about it. But when I read things like your poem and others, it sounds magical. I know it can be harsh and not at fun at times of course, but I can see how having a "real winter" can magnify God's story of rhythms and redemption.
https://open.substack.com/pub/lazarus9/p/3am-burn-poem?r=58p6te&utm_medium=ios