“Inky ice slaves away
the caterwauling of each broken day
and within the storms that leave behind a dust
of crystallizing diamond shore
I walk
and walk
and walk some more...”
― Cheryl Seely Savage, Carve a Place for Me

“Winterland by Stewart Stafford

Obelisk columns of a wintry afternoon,
Bony fingers of nascent green in June,
Pink snow clouds kissed by fading sun,
Dark gold streets, hurry home as one.

Shared body heat tenderises life so tough,
Fusion shelter from gales so rough,
Windows scream, a voyeur's peek inside,
Lovers dismissed with wailing to chide.

Darkness claims stragglers of day,
Wrestles all an eye sees, stealing it away,
Sleep whispers drowsy promises in our ears,
We two, melding - strangers from our fears.

© Stewart Stafford, 2023. All rights reserved.”
― Stewart Stafford

“In Icy Commentary by Stewart Stafford

A wailing winter wind does blow;
From séance tap to besieged sloe,
All caressed by freezing touch,
Shivering sabre shakes as such.

Assailant storms of a frigid week,
Turned-up collar thaws a cheek,
Vacate streets to fireside glow,
A jilted bride in confetti snow.

Shark gusts with teeth like knives,
Draughty house of nagging wives,
Spinning tales from an elegiac tome,
Cosy dreams in the womb of home.

© Stewart Stafford, 2023. All rights reserved.”
― Stewart Stafford