“They seem sad,” he said
“like trees in November,
like early snowfall
upon Wetherlam:
“Bent in the wind they are,
limbs taut and twisted
wiry and strong,
how they bend but never break.
“Are they inspired by the fire
on the hillside, where the bracken died
to bronze, lit into copper
just where the sun hits?
“Are they enlivened by the crimson combe-heart
to which they soon hope to descend
before the cloud does?”
Even here, unwary climbers sometimes lose their way.
How bright the contrast:
the crimson and the grey
the hillside and the valley as
summer’s night shifts into winter’s day.
Back at the inn, their sadness evaporates
like steaming sweat from off their socks
which they warm by the fire
despite the protests of those gathered round this spot.
Never underestimate the power of contrasts:
we need to face the wild and isolation,
the Novembers of our life,
the nights of cold and days of climbing strife
to more appreciate the birth of spring’s renewal
the scorching heat of summer
trees in November turned once more
to emerald green, resplendent, fruiting ripe.
© 2021 experimentsinfiction.com. All Rights Reserved.
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Sarah hosts Poetics, with an ekphrastic prompt inspired by the art of Fay Collins, who sadly died in September of this year. Fay wrote these words about her own work:
I have had a rich journey through places that are full of contrasting states: wild and cultivated, arid and verdant, rugged and fragile, ever-changing and apparently constant. The particular quality of light and space in the North West of the UK particularly, draws me in to explore the diverse, visual aspects of geology, meteorology and botany. I marvel at the energy, abundance and diversity of life’s forces and I am continuously intrigued by the idea that visual qualities of landscape often appear timeless and constant yet are often tangibly dynamic. Light conditions due to our ever-changing weather emphasises a ‘Romantic’ feel in some of my work (so I’ve been told) and I like to think that that my paintings evoke a poetic sense of connection with the natural world.
As I’m from the North West of England myself, I found that I immediately connected with the spirit of her landscapes. I chose to write a poem inspired by the painting ‘3 trees at Coniston,’ partly because I was drawn to the contrasts, and also because I recognised the landscape and felt at home in it. Wetherlam is one of the Coniston fells, and I think it is the one pictured with snow in the painting.
The title of the poem is a chapter title in the book Watership Down by Richard Adams.
Also sharing with earthweal’s Open Link Weekend #94.
I really liked that picture too, and I am glad that I didn’t select it, you made it so well. I like the fact that those trees bend but doesn’t break… much how we have to endure November.
Thank you Björn.
As I started reading I realised this is your part of the world! This poem has a great sense of familiarity and affection.
Thank you Sarah: I felt it when writing 😊
This is absolutely stunning! I especially love the question; “Are they enlivened by the crimson combe-heart to which they soon hope to descend before the cloud does?” 💝💝
Thank you Sanaa 💕💕
Gorgeous write, I liked the ending with message of power in contrasts and how we can appreciate it in the progression on seasons! ❣
Thank you Tricia 💕
Sad as trees in November. They are, or soon will be. And the contrasts—you’re right, they change November from drab to fiery.
It’s still quite fiery for the moment, so I’m enjoying that!
I love how you move from the forlorn season into budding hope, such a lovely poem! And even more delightful that you know the area so well 🙂
Sometimes we find hope in the darkest of places 😊
yes, I believe once we’ve faced the worst we know it can only get better …
I ekphrastic poem a stunning interpretation of the Fay Collins painting … superbly done Claudia ..
Thanks Ivor 😊
Ingrid,
I love the opening voice of the speaker, his questioning as to what it is that sends the hikers bent against the wind into the rough. Your answering narrative is a nice concluding touch to the cyclical nature of loss and renewal.
Thanks Dora: I wanted to bring it around full circle. Winter in the mountains holds more promise than we might think!
Nothing like familiarity with the North of England to inspire your incredibly eloquent poem. You paint such a clear picture with words, we would have imagined Fay’s painting without seeing it. Marvelous work!
It’s not all grim up North! Thank you Glenn.
There is a great sense of Reality, as well as Realism in this poetry, and reading that you are from the area helps explain that, though of course there is more to it: one is transported to the land of your poem and the painting though the jntricate narrative that takes you there, questioning each step. This helps give the central premise of rebirth and regeneration more effect. You caught the colours and moods in your words, and transported us to spring in a lovely end. Well done
Thank you Ain!
Very nice — you did it great justice
Thanks Ron 🙏
Thanks for guiding us along the rugged landscape in your poem…a wonder-full write of the land and tribute to the artist’s work, Ingrid!
Thank you Lynn!
This is beautiful Ingrid. You found the romance, the possibility in this stark image. I chose the same one — but saw differently.
And that’s the beauty of ekphrastic! Thanks Rob.
I liked the strength of the trees in your poem and the hope of Spring for all of us…. As the sun shines on those twisted trees, it is from within each one that the emerald green emerges!
Indeed it is! Thank you Dwight.
Even as dark as this is in the beginning, it’s a reminder that all is not necessarily lost.
Yes, it’s more a season of hibernation than of death.
Like the itsy bitsy spider of the children’s rhyme, it all comes around again, doesn’t it?
It certainly does 😊
Fabulous, Ingrid. ‘Facing this November’ as your poem reminds us we must all do.
Me too! Thanks K.
You’re most welcome.
awareness and acceptance ring thru this pen ~
Thanks M.
stunningly wwritten. a beautiful read
Thank you Rog!
Great poem, a fantastic read and a stunning and vivid description of the painting! 😀
Thank you 🙏
Beautifully worded Ingrid – and wonderful message of positivity amongst the gloom.
Thank you: we need to take all we can get!
This landscape does indeed invite a warm fire surrounded by friends. And yet you’ve captured the stark beauty as well, and the way both complement each other. (K)
Thanks Kerfe, that’s what I was aiming for!
I love the respect it shows to the changing seasons and the beauty of Fall/Winter!
Thank you 🙏
i love the vivid descriptions here, Ingrid. and the clarion call of these lines:
we need to face the wild and isolation,
the Novembers of our life,
the nights of cold and days of climbing strife
Thank you 🙏
This is an absolute gem of a poem, Ingrid! Your strong connection to the spirit of Fay Collins’ work is evident. Wonderful job with metaphor, symbolism, the dialogue and I love how you bring the reader to the inn next to a warm fire and sweaty socks. That imagery immediately took me back to sweaty but sweet memories of kids playing and asking questions. The best questions!
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Michele. For me, a hike is not successful if it does not end with sweaty socks! 😅
Perfect! It’s good to sweat! No socks required, but I tried a hot yoga class, a few times. Insane sweat! 😱
I must try that when I don’t have PMDD 😅
Good plan. It is intense and tbh, I am not sure how healthy it is to push our bodies to those extremes. I am glad I tried it a few times, but doubt I will take another class like that.
I love how you were inspired by the painting and your own knowledge of the area. You’ve captured the beauty and the starkness, and even the little details of socks drying in front of the fire. 😀
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference 😊
😀
The poem draws me into the wilding of trees and bracken and colour, the whole feel, an embodiment.
“They seem sad,” he said
“like trees in November,… love that opening…and the artwork as well.
I stole that one from the Watership Down movie 😬 the quote in the book is different, but I like the movie quote 😅
Brilliant poem Ingrid! I’m off to discover more of Fay Collins art now……
Glad to introduce you, via Sarah of course!
“Sad, like trees in November…” I am feeling that in my part of the world, especially keenly this late November.
I hope the situation where you are is a little better now. We had storms on Friday night but no landslides thank goodness!
Incredible writing
Thank you 🙏
We need the contrasts because there is life and there is death and we exist with both. Need both, too, though our conscious brains cling to living and sweetness and love. Those naked tree branches look all a-wither but are truly the shape of summer fullness. Nicely done and a great treatment of the image.
Thank you Brendan, glad you enjoyed it.
A wonderful poem Ingrid of life’s changes each one and season offering hope and resurrection.
bravo!💖
Thanks Cindy 💕
💖🌷🙏
Beautiful painting. You are right…we do need the contrasts to fully appreciate the light and joy after a time in the dark. Eloquent and well expressed poem
Thank you!
What a splendid poem Ingrid.
“we need to face the wild and isolation,
the Novembers of our life,
the nights of cold and days of climbing strife
to more appreciate the birth of spring’s renewal”
xoxo
Thank you Gabriela 🥰
My pleasure Ingrid. I hope you are ok. Sending huge hugs 🤗🌹🌺
❤️
❤️
I love this poem. I heard that due to climatic change trees are suffering when they do not lose their leaves in winter. It shows how we need the cold winter a time of quiet and stillness to renew our growth in spring. Beautiful prose and description in your poem.
Thank you so much Deborah! 🙏