Unexpected Truths

12/5/2023

Hello blog friends,

It's been a very chilly week in my part of the world. The streets have grown quiet as frost covers windows. Most of us stay inside on these cold grey days. If we venture into nature, it is with caution and layers upon layers of cover.

Colleen Chesebro invites us to think about our experience of the season and capture it in verse. My poem is a little different this week. The winds and icy conditions have prompted deeper reflection.

I've written a simple Tanka (5-7-5-7-7) and used winter freeze as my kigo phrase. I hope you like my divergence from the norm.

I hope you have a terrific week. If you live in the northern hemisphere, bundle up. Winter is just beginning. ❄️

48 Comments

Annette Rochelle Aben

12/6/2023 03:44:22

Watercolors at the ready!

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 05:00:28

Perfect, Annette. Watercolors indeed! ❤️

Harmony Kent link

12/6/2023 04:28:24

Absolutely beautiful poem and picture, and such a truth. Love this, Gwen. Hugs 🤗💕🙂

Karen Ingalls

12/6/2023 04:43:26

My goodness! This poem brought out several emotions: sadness, joy,, regret, and hope. This is one of my favorites.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 05:01:14

Thank you so much, Karen. I'm so pleased you liked it. ❤️

Dan Antion link

12/6/2023 05:54:10

Moving away from the norm is a tribute to your creative spirit. This is a lovely image and lovely thoughts about winter as it begins to take hold. I hope it treats you well, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:14:26

Thank you so much, Dan. 😊

John Howell link

12/6/2023 06:14:33

You make a good point about trying to meet a challenge alone. It could be the cold of winter or something more substantial. In any case being united can result in a much better outcome. A super poem, Gwen. Best wishes on your broadcast tonight.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:15:07

Thanks so much, John, on all points. Much appreciated. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

12/6/2023 07:02:47

Gwen, this is beautiful! The closeness of other people, either literally or figuratively, can give us warmth.🙂

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:16:09

Thank you, Priscilla. I'm so glad you liked it. ❤️

Jill Weatherholt link

12/6/2023 07:31:01

So much truth in your words. Beautiful poem, Gwen.❤️

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:55:07

Thank you so much, Jill. ❤️

D. Wallace Peach link

12/6/2023 07:44:41

Oh, I like this one a lot, Gwen. So much conveyed in so few words. It's all about what we choose to focus on, and attitude is our paint.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:55:50

So true, Diana. Thank you so much. We choose. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

12/6/2023 07:54:06

Beautiful, Gwen, and loaded with wisdom. I hope you have a good week, too.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 07:56:12

Thank you, Tim. 😊

Jan Sikes

12/6/2023 08:10:15

A chilly poem, Gwen. Very well expressed. It made me want to wrap in a warm blanket. :)

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 13:25:30

Our temps have really fallen recently, so chilly is the norm. Thank you, Jan. 😊

Ange link

12/6/2023 10:16:58

a truthful sentiment - love the poem Gwen 💕

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 13:25:55

Thank you, Ange. I'm so happy to hear that. ❤️

Mae Clair link

12/6/2023 12:01:39

I love the line "The landscape is ours to paint."

Wonderful, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 13:26:19

Thank you, Mae. ❤️

Gwen M. Plano

12/15/2023 13:15:37

Thanks so much, Mae. ❤️

Colleen Chesebro link

12/6/2023 13:25:12

Gwen, this is a superb tanka poem. I feel those unexpected truths will bring clarity. I like the way you used winter freeze. It's not only the weather, but maybe how people are treating other people as well. The last line is perfect.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 15:55:22

Thank you very much, Colleen. I'm elated you liked the tanka. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

12/6/2023 14:14:40

I really like the life-affirming message of this poem.

Gwen M. Plano

12/6/2023 15:55:41

Thanks so much, Liz. 😊

Balroop Singh link

12/8/2023 09:54:52

I can connect to your thoughts Gwen, I can feel the freeze and the need to garner strength. Thanks dear friend.

Gwen M. Plano

12/8/2023 19:15:09

How kind of you to say, dear Balroop. Thank you so much. ❤️

Marsha link

12/8/2023 12:11:51

Hi Gwen, I think being alone in the cold winter would be very disheartening, especially if you were housebound. Slippery walking and driving conditions would make for a lonely time for an older person alone. I'd paint my landscape green! :)

Gwen M. Plano

12/8/2023 19:16:04

That would be my choice as well, Marsha. A green landscape. 💚

[email protected] link

12/8/2023 14:32:58

Gwen, there is wisdom in the pause of frost and you've captured it well here.

Gwen M. Plano

12/8/2023 19:16:37

Thanks so much, Ms. Jade. ❤️

Kerfe

12/8/2023 16:55:42

These are true words Gwen. We need each other.

Gwen M. Plano

12/8/2023 19:17:15

I believe this to be true as well, Kerfe. We need each other. 🤗

Mark Bozeman link

12/9/2023 08:22:02

Nice job capturing the solitude of the season, and the need for togetherness.

Gwen M. Plano

12/10/2023 12:26:29

Thank you, Mark. I'm so glad you liked it. 😊

mark bierman link

12/9/2023 13:22:17

"Stronger together", wonderful message and poem, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

12/10/2023 12:29:09

Thanks so much, Mark. If only, if only... 😊

David 'ben Alexander' Bogomolny link

12/12/2023 06:46:34

The third and fourth lines are just brilliant, Gwen. This is great writing.

Much love,
David

Gwen M. Plano

12/15/2023 13:14:45

Thank you so much, David. Very kind of you to say. ❤️

Jules link

12/12/2023 12:24:17

Oh, if only we could all work together for peace.

Gwen M. Plano

12/15/2023 13:16:17

It would be wonderful to experience that peace. ❤️

Robbie Cheadle

12/14/2023 05:32:31

Hi Gwen, it sounds very cold and desolate in your neck of the woods. A compelling poem.

Gwen M. Plano

12/15/2023 13:17:11

Thank you, Robbie. We're at 5,000 feet elevation, so it gets cold here during autumn and winter. 😊

sally cronin link

12/14/2023 10:58:09

Lovely Gwen...we hold more power than we imagine, and even more when we work together..♥

Gwen M. Plano

12/15/2023 13:18:03

Thank you, Colleen... more power than we imagine. So true. ❤️

Unexpected Truths

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