Friday, February 4, 2011

Shadows on Snow: Revisiting an Old Poem



Years ago I wrote the following haiku. It was included in the children’s book Robert’s Snowflakes.



A snowman shadow
paints himself in blue upon
a cold white canvas.

Note: I had originally written the poem about a tree—not a snowman.




Yesterday, I was looking down from my bedroom window at shadows on the snow in my yard. I opened a window and shot some pictures. Then I decided to re-envision the snowman haiku as a “tree” poem once again. I've posted my first draft of the poem below.



a pine
dips its bristles
in a bowl of sky
brushes blue
on a winter white canvas
paints a self portrait



********************


The Poetry Friday Roundup is at Dori Reads.

9 comments:

Carlie said...

Lovely. I have a friend who is a painter and she keeps painting winterscapes lately, fascinating to watch all the blues and purples show up on her canvas when we just look out and see white and grey.

jama said...

Really lovely, Elaine. Love the bowl of sky brushes blue . . . :)

Martha Calderaro said...

I, too, love the "bowl of sky brushes blue ..." Both versions of your poem are wonderful.

What a winter, huh? Stay warm and inspired!

Elaine Magliaro said...

Carlie, Jama, & Martha,

Fortunately, all the storms and being housebound so much this winter have helped me to break through my wall of writer's block. When life gives you snow...write poetry about it!

Tara said...

I agree with Elaine...especially if it means creating a poem like this!

Mary Lee said...

I love the "bowl of sky"!!!

I'm Jet . . . said...

Blue shadow paint on snow. Love it!

Amy L V said...

"dips its bristles" is joy in the mouth! What a treat to read this poem in its old and new incarnations. I love these journeys.

Julie said...

Definitely one of my favorite Magliaro poems, Elaine! The idea that a shadow could be a self-portrait - that's a haunting thought. Lovely control of sound here - I"m with AMY LV - "dips its bristles" is pure pleasure. And so compact. Really nice work.