Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Garden Blogger's Muse Day, January 1, 2009

2009?

(taken in January 2008)

January
by John Updike

The days are short,
The sun a spark
Hung thin between
The dark and dark.

Fat snowy footsteps
Track the floor.
Milk bottles burst
Outside the door.

The river is
A frozen place
Held still beneath
The trees of lace.

The sky is low.
The wind is gray.
The radiator
Purrs all day.


January does contain its excitement! :-)
And to see other Muse Day posts, visit Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Shady, a scene from New Year's future? Not for us here in TN, but maybe for you guys? Have a most wonderful 2009!
Frances

flydragon said...

Perfect little poem for Jan. but I'm not looking forward to a repeat of your picture of last year:(

Shady Gardener said...

Frances, I hope our Winter is not a repeat of last Winter... but we've surely begun heartily! ;-)

flydragon, I agree completely. We'll see... Happy 2009!!!

Anonymous said...

Perfect photo and verse combination!

Snowed here all day - they're still plowing, the temperature is plummeting and the wind is howling around the house. 6-9" is what they predicted and it seems about right. Now it's blowing around everywhere... not looking forward to Lucy's "last outies" at 11:00!

Keep warm, dry and safe and enjoy the start of a brand New Year! /Deb

Kylee Baumle said...

Your photo is perfect, as is the poem.

Happy New Year to you!

Iowa Victory Gardener said...

Hi Shady!
Happy New Year! Fortunately we didn't have a repeat of your photo this year, though it sure looks familiar enough so far....

I didn't know Updike wrote poetry, but then I'm not terribly familiar with his work (American Lit is not my forte), but it's a nice, concise one!

A very quiet passing at our house this year, just some good food and drink and films. We wanted it quiet and private and enjoyed that time. Hope your evening was enjoyable too!

F Cameron said...

Great photo and poem! It did make me shiver, too!

I won't ever complain about 20 degree sunny days again.

Happy New Year!
Cheers,

Cameron

Shady Gardener said...

Deb, It sounds as though YOU are having quite the winter weather these past few weeks. I hope you've stored a pantry full of food(!)... Perhaps you're having 1 dog and 4 cat nights (to stay warm)? ;-)

I have been scouring my house lately for something I "hid away" when I cleaned for Thanksgiving! Ever do anything like that?

Jan said...

Hi Shady, The images are clear...and cold! Bring out the sunshine:)
I used to love American Lit; (got the English award in H.S.) Now it seems I'm American Ill-literate!
It's good to read poetry from that period again!
Happy New Year-Jan

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Jan! I do tend to enjoy the poetry from "days gone by." I can't keep up with all the modern poets (there are so many of them!) But that's not to say that there aren't some great poets nowadays. ;-)

Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said...

WOnderful selection for Muse Day, Shady. I love John Updike. Thanks for contributing.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Carolyn gail, Your muse is a favorite of mine! :-)