On Winter’s Nights (poetry challenge)
Per savvi’s topic: Winter
On winter nights we sit by a roaring log fire
toasting crumpets with a long-handled fork;
(it is a skill that’s not easy to acquire)
while we relax after a week of hard work.
We feel bright and cosy in our warm room
and although the weather is said to be dire
we abandon thoughts of gloom and doom.
It is peace and tranquillity that we require.
There’ll be games later, like blind man’s bluff
or consequences; Monopoly; or Cluedo;
but we won’t allow players to become rough:
we know that some are black-belts in judo.
Grandpa, on the sofa, is drinking dry sherry;
he is feeling sleepy and perhaps he’ll retire.
The kids are thrilled, frolicsome and merry
but it is snow and snow fights they desire.
They look at the sky to see if the weather
is going to be kind and will change its mind.
Lo and behold: a snowflake, light as a feather,
is followed by another of a similar kind.
They are mightily relieved and full of elation
and will not consider that they’re unkind
being able to play, as they’re on vacation,
while the grownups go back to the grind.
© Luigi Pagano 2016
Ah snowy days away from school, I remember those and toasted crumpets ( lol I always burnt mine) Cluedo and judo I love it. Warm family occasions and open fires with a flurry of snow in the finally, what more can we ask for in a winter poem. Best Keith
We always remember happy memories, Keith, and the simple pleasure of toasting crumpets on the open fire is one that I easily recall.
Thanks for starting the ball rolling on the poetry challenge.
Cheers.
A simple scene beautifully captured. You bring that childlike excitement to life, too. I was reaching for my wellies, Luigi.
Cheers,
Jim
I wanted to give a positive slant to a season which some people describe as bleak by highlighting the pleasurable activities and games that take place in a household on cold winter nights and the excitement they arise both in children and adults.
Thanks, Jim, for understanding my aim and for your kind comment.
Best, Luigi.
I am all for over-indulgence, Trevor, especially when crumpets are concerned. Not so keen on long walks in a bleak landscape, though.
I much favour warmer climates. Horses for courses, I suppose.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Luigi.
Can’t disagree, Trevor, and it would be nice to have two bobbling boobs (but not my own) sharing the hot bath and the whisky.
Bottoms up!
Just reading this makes me feel as happy and warm as I did in childhood, at home with mum and dad, sitting crossed legged on the rug hot buttered toast a fire red with heat, and my dog sleeping beneath my hand. Bliss. Thank you for bringing it all back with this gorgeous winter poem Luigi, Sue.
So glad that this seasonal poem revived happy memories of your childhood, Sue.
Thanks to you for looking in and telling me.
Luigi x
Must admit I didn’t even know what a crumpet is, let alone recall ever toasting one over an open fire! Though I’d heard of them growing up, thought only the gentry ate such-whatevers, while our family sometimes had nothing but a baked potato for tea! Or hot milk over a slice of bread and sugar. So looked it up and found that it’s most like the equivalent of an English muffin over here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crumpet. Which I have eaten, toasted, on many a winter’s night in the US. 🙂 A delightful, accomplished telling Luigi. Brings to mind Currier & Ives Christmas… Read more »
Dear Bel, you must have gone to the US as a child not to know what a crumpet is and though it has similarity with a muffin it has its own distinctive quality. We were very fond of eating crumpets toasted on an open fire and I can assure you that our crowd was not gentry.
Glad that you were able to soak up the winter atmosphere through my words. Thank you for letting me know.
Best, Luigi.