March Wind
Spring Arrives
Clumps of crocus and daffodils,
wet with soft, spring rain,
rise above replenished soil.
Maples’ red buds shake
on ends of thin branches
that vibrate in steady breeze.
Winter’s quiet days rapidly end
with sudden burst of peepers’ song
from swamp which shimmers
in slowly dimming day.
Lainie Senechal
Lainie will participate in a reading of poems written for art in the Blue Wave Fine Art Gallery, Amesbury, MA. The reception and reading is April 2, 6:30-8:30PM.
March Wind Sails Over Ice of Frozen Lakelike scraps of worn fabric,
torn from branches in streams
of strong March wind,
jet through open space
into empty vernal air.
Meltwater on frozen lake
forms pools that mirror
shimmer of setting sun,
as seasons flip from frigid winter
into warm, sweet spring.
Birds at dawn announce this
transition with renewed trills.
Lainie Senechal
Lainie will participate in an exhibit March Wind, with new paintings and poetry, at Kaji Aso Studio from March 12 – April 7th. The opening is March 12 from 7PM-9PM. Poetry reading begins at 8PM.
Snow Squall
Unbroken Promise
Where is the peace
in these wild winds
that whip white veils
across a frozen land?
Small creatures stir slightly
in underground lairs;
bulbs revive beneath
their ivory blankets;
songbirds renew their melodies;
goldfinches transform feathers,
drab gray to vivid yellow.
Twilight’s indigo glow lingers
behind evening’s first stars.
Spring whispers in our ear
of soft breezes which
ruffle newly sprouted leaves
and of its unbroken promise-
a transition to temperate days.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will be a featured reader at the event: An Evening With Poets #2, organized by Bryan Riley. This event will take place on Thursday, February 25th from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Market Square Bakehouse, 5 Market Square in downtown Amesbury, MA.
Yellow Rosewhen a growl or snore,
even a thumping sound,
emanates from frozen lake!
No cause for alarm,
the ice is singing
its wild winter song.
The setting moon’s glow,
like a large yellow rose,
now settles above hills
in faint light of dawn.
Lainie Senechal
Winter Branches Watch Sunset
Winter Branches
At end of day
last flash of sun
hovers over lake;
we may be deceived
by its fuchsia brilliance
that travels quickly
from edge of horizon,
a jest of summer
behind bare branches.
But we are not dumb,
the peal of winter bells
ring under a waxing moon,
frost king marches forth.
Lainie Senechal
Harris Gardner Comments:
Beautiful poem with great imagery especially in the closing lines. The painting dazzles the eyes. It captures a degree of shimmering light. The trees , I think, show a Chinese/ Japanese influence with their delicate elegance. The painting produces a very dramatic effect. A very successful creation!
Winter SolsticeWinter moon peers
between branches,
as smooth as sticks.
Lost leaves that traveled
on the tireless wind
now lie along roads
or wind up in woods,
trampled by footsteps.
The moon’s enigmatic glow,
sensuous and ladylike,
softens the cold, still night.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will present poetry and watercolors in the new exhibit at the Kaji Aso Studio: Winter Branches, Winter Moon. Opening reception is January 16 from 7PM to 9PM, 40 St. Stephen Street, Boston. MA.
December Rosesa red rose blooms,
love we cling to
through persistent winter.
Seasons have slipped by,
our treasured rose remains,
desire’s burning flame.
Time is abandoned but
not the constant allure.
Are we love’s buffoons?
We are each others’ passion,
frolicking in this distraction,
under an endless spell.
Reasons to relinquish
lie around our ankles,
amassed like snowbanks,
white as angel wings.
Evening approaches,
the rose still blooms
and heaven is amused
by our unflagging folly.
Lainie Senechal
Moonlight Through the Pines
White Pines
veterans of many storms,
under blackened skies,
which crashed waves to shore.
Experienced in bearing
snows heavy burden,
with wisdom to capture
the pale winter sun,
when deciduous shells
stand silent, devoid
of all their leaves.
Possessing perches for eagles
and summits that
stretch to the sky.
Pumpkins
Mid-November
Prodigal trees have strewn
a wealth of leaves
onto the the lawn
which overflows into beds
emptied of summer’s blooms.
Winter ducks return from Arctic,
energetically feed on water weeds
below lake’s cold surface.
We gather a hefty harvest
to relieve the want
of winter’s harshest hours.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will be reading excerpts from Snowbound by John Greenleaf Whittier at the Holiday Open House at the Whittier Home, 86 Friend Street, Amesbury, MA. The Open House is from 1 to 5 PM on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Announcement:
Lainie Senechal has been chosen by the Amesbury Cultural Council to be the first Poet Laureate for the City of Amesbury, MA.
Autumn Gleanings #2
Early November
whose waves lightly pound
stones that line the shore.
A flock of yellow butterflies –
loosened leaves flutter in breeze.
Even black nights are bedecked
with bright diamonds.
No sudden changes to send
the howl of Arctic blasts;
mild November dances in
with utter delight.
Lainie Senechal