Although I wrote this poem December 4 and had made a few edits, I intended to tighten it up further and submit it before the deadline to children’s book author David Harrison’s blog. He has a poetry contest each month, writing to a specific topic. December’s was “Bones.” I’m guessing with the holidays, my intentions got lost in the shuffle as I missed the deadline, so I’m posting it here. If interested, David’s topic for January is “Time.”
BONES
In violet, indigo and dusky blue,
they shadow their bones
across silver snow
in the sharp morning sun.
They bare their essence
and nod in silence
to admiring passersby.
Standing tall
in their most primitive selves
they are visions
of grace and pride.
I am Oak.
I am Ash.
I am Poplar.
Soon enough
Spring will come
cloaking their branches in
effusive greens,
in camouflage,
and playful disarray.
But for winter …
I am my bones.
Jeanne Balsam
December 2009
Still A Dreamer 