Thresholds

Submission November 2025
Thresholds traces the transition from autumn’s waning light through the deep stillness and renewal of winter, exploring nature’s rhythms, endurance, and transformation.

I. Thresholds

Trees shimmer 
yawning deeply-
anticipation stirs.

Autumn equinox,
the balance of light and dark,
time juncture converts.

Facing eastward.
Fall moon on the horizon
blazing golden hues.

Extravagant colors!
A migratory bird's last song.
Light wanes for evening.

Granting Fall's wish
for an encore flower dance.
Winter procrastinates.

II. Winter Solstice

motionless sun
the darkest moment
light breaks through

climactic pause
night tide meets at Winter's gate
light connects

the sun stands still,
a brief magical moment
winter begins

III. Winter’s Deep Sleep

first snow
falling softly
warm thoughts

moonbeams prance 
atop the subnivean zone,
a gentle nightlight

winter's shield
snow blanket or hoarfrost, 
survive or succumb

silence broken
predatory footfalls
winter creaks

unyielding onslaught
of graupel freezing, thawing, 
precarious, yet

safely tucked
in the between, nestled deep,
all sleep

IV. Winter’s Lace

Vibrant winter blooms 
cast against a snowy canvas,
beneath brooding skies.

Amaryllis’ view from the window,
warm thoughts.
Periwinkle winks in winter’s chill.

A little ray of sunshine,
that banishes winter blues,
Winter jasmine.

Persistence cold
first snow falling
Pansies thrive.

Deep into winter
Primrose’s delightful colors,
stand stark against the snow

Varied highs and lows,
February vacillates,
Snowdrops appear.

Narcissus’ beauty
shines for all to see,
defying winter’s hold

Colorful and sweet
Pansies’ cousin, Viola,
a winter survivor.

Glory-of-the-Snow,
star-shaped and whimsical,
greets winter’s end.

V. Threnodies

As autumn falls silent under evening's snow, 
sheltered seeds don winter's coat below. 
Sleeping silently beneath winter's breath, 
trees fold into a counterfeit death. 

A magical moment when the sun stands still, 
winter begins with a brisk, cold chill. 

Wintry winds whistle ceaseless threnodies, 
glistens frosty precip melodies. 
Amidst frigid fields, icicles drip. 
Cardinals swoop midstream for a sip. 

Mice tucked warmly under subnivean snow, 
moonbeams prance across a snowlit plateau. 
Betwixt two astral stars, the moon hangs bright, 
eerie wolf howls echo through the night. 

Playful trickery, a spring bud pops its head. 
Winter snaps, not yet— and tucks them back to bed.