Poem: Susurration
The sounds and sights of winter inspire this week’s Poet’s Corner contribution from Alana Potgieter.
Susurration
I hear the whisper of winter’s breath
crackling parchment ruffles kissing in the breeze
yellows and reds once twisting above my head
now cover the earth like a crinkle-paper bed
naked trees reach black fingers to the sky
the rusty-hinged squeak of their branches rubbing by
With a murmur comes the misty rain
a sighing resigned hush
to blanket the world in silent precipitation
the only sounding stutters
the fresh rivulets running in the gutters
the melancholy song of the grey shrike-thrush
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Inside once more in the comfortable warm
with doors closed, lights off, curtains drawn
two cats on my lap sound their soft bellows snores
the rising wind shakes now at the windows, now at the doors
it’s dark outside but not yet late
while the orange coals clink happily in the grate.
Living in South Australia, Alana Potgieter is a veterinarian from South Africa who takes immense joy and inspiration from the natural world and feels a deep connection to it. She is most often to be found in the garden that she and her husband have created from the soil up, or reading a book with one of her spoilt kitties on her lap.
Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.