Advance with Caution

1/9/2024

Hello, blog friends.

It's freezing in this part of the world, and my poem reflects that chill. As per writer Colleen Chesebro's instructions, I've written a haibun poem, using the kigo phrases of winter winds. A haibun is a paragraph of prose that includes a haiku.

I hope you enjoy it.

Memories of my first Midwestern winter give me shudders. Icy winds and mountains of snow. Wearing canvas sneakers, I braved the storm but my toes suffered. As a young Californian lost in an Indiana storm, I knew nothing about winter and had to be treated at the hospital for frostbite. I should have known better.

40 Comments

Pat Garcia link

1/11/2024 05:23:03

Hi,
I remember when I landed in Frankfurt, Germany. As a woman from the Deep South, I had never really experienced cold weather. It was not only ice cold, but also snow on the ground and I wore sandals and shorts and a thin blouse. That was when I learned caution and that other parts of the world were not as hot as in Charleston, South Carolina.
Your poem made me remember that day.
Shalom shalom

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 05:57:42

Wow, you must have been freezing, Pat. Thank you for sharing your experience. What a shock it is to go from familiar warmth to an unfamiliar icy winter. Shalom shalom

Annette Rochelle Aben

1/11/2024 05:35:04

Ouch! Learning from your lesson and heeding your advice!

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 05:58:59

Ouch is right! I learned my lesson and don't go out into chilly weather without the proper clothing. Thank you, Annette.

John Howell link

1/11/2024 06:26:11

The sad thing is when it gets into the 40s we get the shivers. We are facing 20s next week and not looking forward to it. A terrific poem, Gwen. (gave me the shivers too)

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 07:03:47

Thank you, John. We're at 33 degrees right now and it's snowing. I've got four layers on and I'm still cold. Pitiful, right? 😄

Harmony Kent link

1/11/2024 07:02:08

A gorgeous poem and perfect image, Gwen. Thanks for sharing your wonderful creativity! Hugs 🤗💕🙂

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 13:08:14

Thank you so much, Harmony. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. 🤗

Tim Dittmer link

1/11/2024 08:00:28

Yes, Gwen, one must face the facts of winter to stay away from harm.

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 13:09:19

Thinking back, I'm amazed at how ignorant I was of weather. But I was a college student and, well, they often don't pay attention. 😄

Dan Antion link

1/11/2024 09:13:29

Sorry you had to learn that lesson the hard way, Gwen. Frostbite can be very serious. But at least you can reflect on it with a beautiful poem.

We haven't had much in the way bitter cold yet.

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 13:13:10

We had more snow this morning, but it's warmed up to 37 degrees. 🙄Thinking back to my first experience in snow, brings a smile. I should have known better.

D.L. Finn

1/11/2024 09:40:10

Ouch! Painful lesson, Gwen. I had to learn about the cold moving from Bay Area too, and finally got a pair of boots that keep my feet toasty. Beautiful poem, we had that very wind last night. Xo

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 13:14:06

Thank you, Denise. I have my pair now - wouldn't be without them. ❤️

Balroop Singh link

1/11/2024 10:00:40

Only poets can feel the 'caress of winter winds!' You seem to have a first hand experience. Well articulated, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 13:14:39

Thanks so much, dear Balroop. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

1/11/2024 15:08:04

Spot-on haibun! I had the opposite experience the first time I lived in Virginia with no air conditioning.

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 16:31:22

LOL! No air conditioning? That can be serious. 😄

Liz Gauffreau

1/11/2024 18:38:31

It was BRUTAL.

Priscilla Bettis link

1/11/2024 15:31:36

Excellent poem. I like to hunker down inside when it's icy and cold outside.

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 16:34:32

It's been so cold today - and snowing - that I haven't ventured out at all. ❤️

Mae Clair link

1/11/2024 17:03:32

Oh, my, frostbite! I bet that is a winter you will never forget, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

1/11/2024 19:22:14

So true, Mae. Funny thing is, I haven't worn canvas sneakers since then. 😊

Jan Sikes

1/11/2024 19:45:15

Brrr, Gwen. Your poem made me feel the chill. And how awful that you learned about frostbite the hard way.

Gwen M. Plano

1/12/2024 12:02:05

The "hard way" seems to be my learning style. 😊 Thank you, Jan, for the visit.

Marsha link

1/12/2024 12:44:55

I like my move a lot better, Gwen - from Indiana to CA!

Gwen M. Plano

1/12/2024 16:02:22

You made me smile, Marsha. 😊 Thank you.

[email protected] link

1/12/2024 15:34:17

Midwest winter and Sunny CA are worlds apart. Thank goodness you got treated in time. I've seen pics of what frostbite can do! Love the haiku here.

Gwen M. Plano

1/12/2024 16:03:40

Thank you, Ms. Jade. It was a huge learning lesson for me. 🤗

Yvette M Calleiro link

1/12/2024 20:01:43

Great haibun, Gwen!

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

1/13/2024 19:15:53

Thanks so much, Yvette. 😊

Rall link

1/13/2024 08:15:12

We are in high summer at the moment Down Under. It is a subtropical climate in Sydney so we dont have the winters you experience....Don't know how you survive it really.You must all have very strong constitutions and characters:)_

Gwen M. Plano

1/13/2024 19:17:49

"Strong constitutions" -- not really, Rall. We layer and layer to stay warm. Thank you for your response to the post. I envy the warmth you're experiencing. 😊

willowdot21 link

1/13/2024 10:15:28

Oh! So glad you recovered, I guess you didn't make that mistake twice 💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

1/13/2024 19:18:24

So true, Willow. I learned from my mistake. 😊

Colleen link

1/13/2024 12:14:21

Oh my gosh, Gwen! My husband is from southern California, so I totally understand how you felt. We lived in Montana for many years. -40 F. was the coldest it got, but I'll never forget how bitter cold that felt. Your haibun captures your emotions so well. xx

Gwen M. Plano

1/13/2024 19:20:24

Thank you so much, Colleen. I can't imagine -40 F. Goodness!! 🥶

D. Wallace Peach link

1/14/2024 17:14:01

Oh my gosh, Gwen. What a poem-story. I'm glad everything turned out okay (I assume you still have all your toes). Stay warm and safe during this frigid weather. Hugs.

Gwen M. Plano

1/14/2024 18:08:34

I still have my toes, Diana. 😊 And I've learned to respect frigid weather. Thank you for asking. 🤗

ben Alexander link

1/15/2024 11:02:55

Your prose effectively sets the scene, highlighting the challenges faced in the unfamiliar climate, and the haiku beautifully complements the narrative, encapsulating the essence of winter winds!

~David

Advance with Caution

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