Dear friends, your words here are a balm, and will be reminding me of what winter can teach me for many weeks to come. Thank you! We've chosen a winner, but please continue to share the gifts of winter here with this community. I can't wait to read your poems next week.
As winter comes, I’m looking forward to experiencing my regular hiking trails in all new ways. With the leaves gone, the views will be completely different. Streams and valleys that were shrouded from sight just a few weeks ago will now be showcased. It’s like seeing old friends from entirely new perspectives and I will love them all the more for it.
I am looking forward to the austerity of January, to packing up the decorations, to a refrigerator emptied of leftovers, to a front porch no longer littered with deliveries. I am looking forward to flat midwestern skies, whether grey or a brilliant blue. I am looking forward to finding myself alone beneath the oaks, sidewalks emptied of human life. I am looking forward to setting no expectations for myself other than to dress each morning in flannels and woolens. To wear two coats and two pairs of socks and a hood pulled over my hat. I am looking forward to days when it is merely enough to go out into the cold and look up into whatever weather has shown up that day, and feel my feet moving across the earth.
I’m looking forward to spending time just ‘being’ this winter - staying warm and safe in my home and my heart and going with the slow flow of the season.
I'm looking forward to the ways that winter makes me slow down and take stock of my surroundings, both in my external world and in my internal world. I like the way that winter reminds me that I am a survivor, I have survived every winter so far and will get through this one.
I'm looking forward to lots of reading and writing, some slow crafting and snuggling, gentle movement, and - now - to your prompts! My kids and I have read Winter's Gifts together already, and it's so beautiful.
Since Feb of 2022, I have gone through a year of very intense leukemia treatments, had to downsize massively as we moved from a 4,000 sq foot house that we had lived in for 26 years to a less than 2,000 sq foot house, retired, and buried my father-in-law.
I’m looking forward to our (very delayed) Christmas tree finally arriving, hopefully this week, and to decorating it while listening to Christmas music. And then to watching my toddler remove all the baubles and throw them around...
I am looking forward to the deliciousness of retreating into my studio and creating from a sense of quiet flow. No pushing/production/goals....for this month (and beyond?) simply play, curiosity, wonder, process, unfolding...
I live in SoCal so winter is a bit of an overstatement here (one of the big draws in moving here after four years in Chicago), but I do love getting to wear my cozy long sleeves and hoodies. I am intentionally in a no-coat-needed climate, but I love my hoodies and cozy wear.
Thank you for the event last night. It was wonderful to hear you read your book as we read along with our copy. I really enjoyed hearing what you and the rest of the people on the Zoom think about the winter season and how they find the magic in the darkness. To continue the theme from last night, I am looking forward to ensuring I take the time to 'protect' myself from the darkness that can envelop me. Ensuring I get time alone (and with friends!), twinkle lights throughout the season until spring, candles, good books, hot tea, and a cozy blanket all support me to keep me at an equilibrium.
Today is my birthday. I'm looking forward to having the courage to stay anchored to the earth so that I am still here for the next one. Yours and Katherine's words and empathy help ground me on the days I want to disappear.
Dear friends, your words here are a balm, and will be reminding me of what winter can teach me for many weeks to come. Thank you! We've chosen a winner, but please continue to share the gifts of winter here with this community. I can't wait to read your poems next week.
As winter comes, I’m looking forward to experiencing my regular hiking trails in all new ways. With the leaves gone, the views will be completely different. Streams and valleys that were shrouded from sight just a few weeks ago will now be showcased. It’s like seeing old friends from entirely new perspectives and I will love them all the more for it.
I am looking forward to the austerity of January, to packing up the decorations, to a refrigerator emptied of leftovers, to a front porch no longer littered with deliveries. I am looking forward to flat midwestern skies, whether grey or a brilliant blue. I am looking forward to finding myself alone beneath the oaks, sidewalks emptied of human life. I am looking forward to setting no expectations for myself other than to dress each morning in flannels and woolens. To wear two coats and two pairs of socks and a hood pulled over my hat. I am looking forward to days when it is merely enough to go out into the cold and look up into whatever weather has shown up that day, and feel my feet moving across the earth.
I am looking forward to walking in the woods experiencing the Divine creation. Also, hopefully some snow. I'm looking forward to more rest.
I have read both of Katherine May's books; in fact, I just put a hold on each of them at my local library so I can read them again.
I am looking forward to the upcoming poetry prompts! Thank you.
I’m looking forward to spending time just ‘being’ this winter - staying warm and safe in my home and my heart and going with the slow flow of the season.
I'm looking forward to the ways that winter makes me slow down and take stock of my surroundings, both in my external world and in my internal world. I like the way that winter reminds me that I am a survivor, I have survived every winter so far and will get through this one.
I'm looking forward to lots of reading and writing, some slow crafting and snuggling, gentle movement, and - now - to your prompts! My kids and I have read Winter's Gifts together already, and it's so beautiful.
Since Feb of 2022, I have gone through a year of very intense leukemia treatments, had to downsize massively as we moved from a 4,000 sq foot house that we had lived in for 26 years to a less than 2,000 sq foot house, retired, and buried my father-in-law.
This winter, I mainly hope to rest.
I’m looking forward to our (very delayed) Christmas tree finally arriving, hopefully this week, and to decorating it while listening to Christmas music. And then to watching my toddler remove all the baubles and throw them around...
I am looking forward to the deliciousness of retreating into my studio and creating from a sense of quiet flow. No pushing/production/goals....for this month (and beyond?) simply play, curiosity, wonder, process, unfolding...
I’m looking forward to creating warm and nourishing foods with my husband and finding new connections with him as we prepare and enjoy our meal.
I'm looking forward to sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing with my children. :) Which may inspire some poetry. :) Thank you so much.
I live in SoCal so winter is a bit of an overstatement here (one of the big draws in moving here after four years in Chicago), but I do love getting to wear my cozy long sleeves and hoodies. I am intentionally in a no-coat-needed climate, but I love my hoodies and cozy wear.
Thank you for the event last night. It was wonderful to hear you read your book as we read along with our copy. I really enjoyed hearing what you and the rest of the people on the Zoom think about the winter season and how they find the magic in the darkness. To continue the theme from last night, I am looking forward to ensuring I take the time to 'protect' myself from the darkness that can envelop me. Ensuring I get time alone (and with friends!), twinkle lights throughout the season until spring, candles, good books, hot tea, and a cozy blanket all support me to keep me at an equilibrium.
Today is my birthday. I'm looking forward to having the courage to stay anchored to the earth so that I am still here for the next one. Yours and Katherine's words and empathy help ground me on the days I want to disappear.