This is for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge. We were supposed to use synonyms for stark and trap. We’ve had several unseasonable warm days, but now it’s getting colder, and the wind is howling.
Skeleton trees loom
against skies of violet
owl whistles secrets
caught in winter’s gloomy night
I will seek them in spring’s blooms
Georges Daubner, “Paysage d’hiver,” via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Owl whistles blooming as spring flowers! Lovely image.
Thank you, Jane!
(And written before I read your story.) 🙂
We’re supposed to be having an influx of snowy owls in this region.
How lovely! Unless it means that some drastic climatic change is bringing them to you.
No, apparently it’s a cyclical thing. Most likely I won’t see any, but it’s still cool. They’ve seen and tagged some at Cape May (beach area at the southern tip of NJ).
Maybe it means you’re in for a rough winter?
Maybe, but I hope not! Here’s a short article: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/11/30/snowy-owls-invade-the-delaware-valley/
That sounds hopeful! It’s how the food supply/breeding cycles are supposed to work. Glut of mice, leads to glut of owls. Great! I’ve just come in from my first encounter with an owl. Like you, I was startled. It was dark and misty and was bringing Finbar back in from a toilet break. The owl flew right in front of us, intent on something in the field. Dog leapt out of his skin of course…
Oh my! Scary and magical, Jane.
And Finbar. 🙂
It was! I’m so pleased to have finally seen one. Finbar went tearing after something in the field yesterday. Turned out to be a rat. He’d killed it before I’d even caught up with him. One squeal, two violent shakes and it was dead. First time to my knowledge he’s ever killed anything. I’m glad it was a rat and not something I wouldn’t mind finding in the house.
My daughter’s dog caught a rabbit, and she was so upset.
I’d be mortified if he caught a rabbit, but I’d rather he caught the rat before it decided to see what it was like inside the house.
Yes, good point. 😉
I love mice and rescue them from the cats to put them outside, but rats frighten me.
I’m the same way. Well, I don’t love mice, but I did rescue one from our cats. Another time, the cat was too fast. I would absolutely freak out if we had a rat in the house.
I’m astonished we haven’t seen any evidence of rats in the barn since it’s open to the elements in several places. The one Finbar got was hovering in the field outside. The cats have caught a few baby mice (that I took from them and put outside) and a shrew that died of fright. I’m not sure what they’d do if they met a rat.
Rats are supposed to be very smart. Maybe they’ve moved to a place without a dog and cats. I think a rat could hurt our cats.
I hope so! Yes, I think most cats would stay away from rats. House cats anyway.
You captured a mood exactly. Inserting the color “violet” in a mostly monochromatic scene did it for me. I guess writing poetry is a counterpoint to the prose you slog through. Your output is amazing!
Thank you, Marian.
I think winter skies are often violet. That’s simply my feeling.
Gorgeous. And, the painting. I love the grayness and the violet. Excellent. ❤
Thank you very much, Colleen! 🙂
Eeery
🙂
The secrets buried in the snow…(K)
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Kerfe.
There’s a mixture in amidst the words (for me, at least.) Secrets and skeleton (in their closets) trees aren’t so good.
The violet skies are more pleasant than gloomy gray, the hope of Springs ahead and (snowy) owl made me feel a bit cheery, Merril.
Randy was rather sad, a little overwhelmed yesterday (12/7/17). He’s hopeful this early morning, as they prep him for surgery! I woke up at 4 am to be here as he will go to surgery at 6:30. I was glad he seemed less fatalistic, “everything’s gonna be alright.” 🎶 ❤ I said, “I believe so, too.”
🕊 Playing catch up and so glad to read your fine writing. . .
Thank you for catching up when you must be worried, and for your kind words, too, Robin. Wishing Randy all the best and a smooth recovery. Sending you a hug. ❤
Thank you for your warm wishes this morning, Merril. I appreciated the hug, too. ❤
I like this Merril. It took me from gloom, to a hint of hope, to the promise of hope come spring. Nice writing.
Thanks so much! 🙂
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