Ice Boat on Lake Attitash
January Mornings
Chilly January mornings continue
with no turn in the weather.
A ragged rim of thin ice
along the frozen lake shore
barely covers frosty pebbles
as a flutter of wings settle
on the winter feeder.
Lainie Senechal
First Snow in Angel Garden
Legacy
The snow, falling softly,
spreads a silent blanket
over the winter landscape.
However, it does not sooth
a heart heavy with grief.
Love cannot be contained -
defiantly crosses death’s boundary.
The words will remain,
insightful and strong.
The burden of remembrance
lighten by these verses
that trace his thoughts
and serve as a guide
to hold him among us
through the transit of time.
Lainie Senechal 1/7/2022
Amesbury’s beloved second Poet Laureate, Stephen Wagner, left us after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. His contribution to the community and culture of Amesbury will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to his family.
Cloudy Sky
New Year’s Mist
The New Year opens softly
with no whoosh of winter winds -
only a mantle of mist
that masks the way forward.
Dark trunks stand stoically
as they wait for a change
but all movement as ceased.
A future full of secrets
which cannot be foretold.
The fog has secured
any chance to glimpse
what lies on the further shore.
One hopes for an answer.
Silence is the only reply.
Lainie Senechal
Hanging Out
Sanctuary #3
The snowflakes fly
in early winter air,
lay a white coverlet
over the sparse landscape.
It stills the endless rustle
of dry leaves – brings
a silence and sanctuary
to the unsettled senses.
When the sun returns
it warms the long icicles
which slowly drip from roof.
Although it is not clear
when the next storm
will strike, we can only
wait because the season
has barely begun.
Lainie Senechal
Autumn Wind
Autumn’s Ending
It is no great surprise
in late autumn to behold
a flurry of flakes that move
briskly in the cool breeze.
The fall season is ending -
winter will soon commence.
The full Frost Moon lies
low on the horizon,
lays a rope of silver
on the lake’s dark surface.
Its light gently fades
in the slow rising of the sun.
Lainie Senechal
Flurry of Leaves
Autumn Breeze
The last of the brilliant leaves
fall in autumn’s blustery breeze
that rocks the bare branches.
Only gray lichen remains,
attached to the dark trunks.
Toads have dug deep into soil,
transformed to a torpid state
to avoid freezing temperatures.
The lake remains lively
with many migrating ducks
that dive and feed before
traveling further south.
Lainie Senechal
Daffodil Blossom
Rising Spring
The rising sun glows red -
gleams on the morning lake
as a sharp breeze from the sea
clears away night’s fog
and leaves nothing but
a trail of thin pink clouds.
The nearly absolute emptiness
of early spring is awoken by
a frenzied burst of color
and vibrations of myriad voices
which saturate the warming air
filling the soul with delight.
Lainie Senechal
Spring Tulips
Spring’s Promise
Tonight I hear some sounds
after waking from a reverie.
Is it my neighbors’ voices
talking across their yards,
or the call of geese arriving
from the South for a stopover
to sleep before the journey North?
No matter, spring will not relent
in its steady stride forward,
despite our petty protests.
It is not concerned with
our measures or mortalities –
spring keeps it own promises
and will , after all, prevail.
Lainie Senechal
Return of the Sun
Longing
Milder weather sparks an insatiable
desire for the golden moments
of a bright new season.
After days of bitter cold
even a sunny afternoon
inspires a lust for warmer hours.
In late February the heart
would love a quick transition
from winter into spring.
Lainie Senechal
Lainie will present art and poetry in the upcoming event: “SANCTUARY” An uplifting virtual presentation of Art, Music & Poetry
Premiere Virtual Event: Sunday, Feb. 28th @ 7:00pm For more information and a link go to kajiasostudioevents.com.
Winter Bird Feeder
Snowstorm
The snow blows in from the sea -
creates fragile white blossoms
on the end of thin azalea branches
and erects ivory statues on objects
that remain in a winter yard.
The distant sun glints off
large mounds in the shiny coverlet
which now shrouds the land.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will have art and poetry in this virtual exhibition: KAJI ASO STUDIO presents An uplifting virtual presentation of Art, Music & Poetry inspired by the theme of SANCTUARY. Online Premiere: Sunday, February 28th at 7:00 p.m. EST. This event is FREE and open to the public. More info: administrator@kajiasostudio.