Into the crystal screen, The Wintered Queen
with heart encased in ice, gazes:
begins to dance throughout the changing scene
while rain, rooftops and pavements glazes
Glides over a bridge above the Tyne
with a familiar stranger
mirror upon mirror intertwined
King into Queen, St Nicholas to Grainger
A mirage or a vision, carousel
appears before them – hovers
with fairytale cast, and, as by some spell
enchanted, they fall, soon to become lovers:
Their hearts, their art: two arcs across the sky
inscribed within this book of poetry.
Tonight, I am hosting dVerse Poetics, where I ask for poetry inspired by dreams or visions. This poem describes a dream which became a vision, which eventually became a book. The book in question is Archery In The UK, due for release 1 February 2023. It is a collaboration between me and Nick Reeves: a collection of ballads, sonnets, cadralore and other poetic forms. It is a reimagining of Wordsworth and Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads. And above all, it is that most old-fashioned and timeless of things: a love story…

A lovely poem Ingrid!
Thank you Kim 😊
Love all these dreamy verses! 🤩
Thanks Tricia ❄️ 👸
💓
BTW, I’ve just looked at Dverse (because I had posted a poem about dreams) and your prompt is not there!
Ahaa, this was a sneak preview-the prompt is live now! 😊
Wow, that’s magical, Ingrid! <3 I wish I had more dreams like that. 🙂 Looking forward to the book!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Cheryl, thank you! Not long to go now… 📖 ❤️
This is wonderful to read, a dream coming true is a wonderful thing… this poem begs to be read alound.
Thank you, Björn: perhaps I will read at OLN live!
Firstly, congratulations on your collaboration, Ingrid; I look forward to holding it in my eager little paws. I love the idea of a collection of ballads, sonnets, cadralore and other poetic forms, especially a reimagining of Wordsworth and Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads, and a love story.
Secondly, wow! I love your wintered queen and her ‘heart encased in ice’. You painted the scene so enchantingly in the lines:
‘… rain, rooftops and pavements glazes
Glides over a bridge above the Tyne’
and
I fell in love with the lines:
‘Their hearts, their art: two arcs across the sky
inscribed within this book of poetry.’
Thank you so much for this encouragement, Kim – it is an exciting project to bring to fruition!
This is absolutely fantastic! Many many hearty congratulations on your collaboration, Ingrid! What a comeback! 😍😍
Thank you so much, Sanaa – I have not been idle 😅 💕
Pregnant arc from “hovers’ to “lovers.” A barque for Tristanning Isolde.
Thank you Brendan!
Such a beautiful poem! I’m glad you were able to turn your vision into a book! Thank you so much for sharing 😃
My pleasure! Thank you for reading 😊
You’re very welcome 😊
Congratulations on the book! I hope it’s a success 🙂
Thank you Jane 🙂
A very nice poem, Ingrid. I love the story images.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dwight, thank you!
You are welcome!
Awesomely crafted, Ingrid. Definitely a read-aloud, IMO. Congrats on the book; I’m looking forward. And thanks for hosting this cool prompt.
Thank you kindly, Ron. I think I will read this one at OLN!
Mirror upon mirror opens so many worlds. (K)
Always. Thank you Kerfe.
I love the transportive nature of this piece, but the ending sits poetically with me for a reading experience I love!
I am glad you liked it, Layla, thank you 😊
Where to start? This is marvelous, and marvelous news as well! The styles of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Tennyson and Housman are sadly neglected today. there is much to be said for the sheer beauty of words. I am so delighted to hear about this book of yours and shall try to obtain it as soon as it’s available. Will it be on Amazon or some other place I can go? Continuing on, I love the play on the Sex Pistols “Anarchy In the UK” in your title. Archery indeed! Your poem is lovely, Ingrid. here’s wishing you every success!
–Shay
Thank you so much Shay! The book will be available on Amazon 😊 I can’t take credit for the title – that was Nick’s work, but it sums up the collection perfectly!
A lovely poem to introduce the collection!
Thank you Liz!
You’re welcome, Ingrid!
How wonderful that your poem isn’t just about a dream inspiration – it is a dream realization. 💞
Thank you Michele – thanks exactly what it is! 💖
We eagerly await your book!
Thank you, Barb – not long to go now!
I love the fairytale-like, magical connection between them. And the connection between the characters being preserved in some sort of literary work, possibly this very poem is a great twist, so meta! Lovely and creative.
I love the VU and I’ve never heard this song before so thanks for that, you made my day! ~Jay
Thank you, Jay, I am glad you enjoyed the poem and music!
What a fantastic dream, Ingrid! Congratulations on your collaboration. 🙂
Thank you kindly Aishwara 😊
You are welcome, Ingrid. 🙂
Beautiful poem and heartfelt congratulations! How wonderful to achieve dreams in an area that you love!
Thank you so much! 😊
The lyricism conjures up the best of the Romantics, Ingrid, and is a soulful rendering of the exquisite vision that is love. All the best with your forthcoming book!
Thank you so much Dora: I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Book sounds interesting Ingrid… 🙂✌🏼
Thank you Rob!
Wonderful poem. There are some symbols I can’t wrap my head around, but I guess that’s expected since it’s a dream. Cupid’s carousel made for an interesting ending. It’s wonderful how you could interpret and make use of your dream as inspiration.
Thank you! It is also a true story, and the references are to real places 😊
The Tyne looks pretty in pictures, is does it really introduce magic romantic trances, leading to relationships? We’ve not been that far on England’s east side, Scotland, North Wales, and Ireland, yes. I’m one fourth Manx, been to Isle of Man.
Best wishes on your upcoming.
Thanks for hosting dVerse Poetics this round,
..
‘Twas deep magic from the dawn of Tyne 😅
Congratulations on the upcoming book.
Thank you 🙏
Beautiful poem, Ingrid! You already know I love it. Congratulations again, and it’s wonderful to see you on dVerse. Thank you for hosting.
Thank you, Merril: it feels good to be back!
You’re welcome!
While reading this poem, I envisioned statues of the king and queen that were alive. Very vivid imagery.
Thank you kindly!
Following your dreams and linking them with reality is what life’s all about. Many congratulations, Ingrid <3
That’s so true, Lisa: thank you 😊
Loved this!
Many thanks!
Wow, this post is truly captivating! Your imagery of the “Wintered Queen” with her heart encased in ice, dancing through a changing scene, is so powerful and evocative. The metaphor of the “mirror upon mirror intertwined” as two people become one is beautiful. And the way you weave in the idea of the poem becoming a book, a love story and a collaboration with Nick Reeves, makes it even more interesting. Your poetry inspired by dreams and visions is truly impressive and I’m looking forward to reading your book “Archery in the UK” it sounds like it will be a timeless and beautiful collection. It’s amazing to see how a dream can lead to a vision, and then to a beautiful piece of literature. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thank you kindly!
Just beautiful! Lovely poem!!!
Thank you 🙏
What a beautiful poem, an enchanting post and congratulations on having a dream come true and of course the wonderful book!
Thank you so much Joni!