After the Geese

Gold cherry

By marandina

Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • 1281 reads
23 comments
 

After the Geese

The last of the geese

have flown,

migratory release,

a summer sown,

snows due soon,

polar winds biting,

phases of the moon,

new year alighting.

 

Seasons in time,

elemental forces,

hoar frost - rime,

naked ice horses,

winter to spring,

steel grounds thaw,

morning birds sing,

avian songs soar.

 

Cowslips in bloom,

cornucopia wild,

waterfalls in spume,

we watch beguiled,

such sights on show,

wonders of a kind,

as trade winds blow,

our future we find.

 

Measured in years,

measured in days,

a mayfly’s tears,

in ephemeral rays,

minutes and hours,

lives can be short,

I dreamt of flowers,

life’s floral consort.

 

Image free to use at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Sky_Full_of_Snow_Geese_(16664971147).jpg

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Nature

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Such a richly detailed poem of the changing seasons Paul.

Very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

It's a poem that's been sat unfinished on my hard drive for quite a while. I thought it was about time I did summat with it. Can't remember the last time I used rhyme rather than free form.

So glad you liked it Jenny :)

[Hope you are well. Storms are coming soon!]

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Nicely constructed, gentle and thoughtful. I don't know much about trade winds and their effect though? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Rhiannon. The 'trade winds' reference is intended to give it a global feel. Hopefully it works. 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Loved how it moved in seasons, words creating images of heat and frost and defined the shortness of life. The final line about flowers as life's consort, for me, brought the thought of flowers on a grave, Beautifully written Marandina,. smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the lovely feedback, Penny. I hope it didn't come across as maudlin towards the end.

The flowers theme is more that they are a constant in our lives. Well, for those lucky enough to have them. 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A beautiful poetic voyage through the seasons - wonderful, thank you marandina

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our social media Pick of the Day!

Please share if you enjoyed it too

 

Submitted by marandina on

What a wonderful surprise. Thank you, so much :)

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

What a lovely description of the year's weather and its changing seasons.

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, SG.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

I found this journey through the seasons tapped into the emotions, the joy of spring, the stark loneliness of winter, naked ice horses and hoar forst, There's always a sadness when the geese start honking in vast formations across the darkening skies, nature closing in for another year.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jane. I think I've referenced geese flying south for the winter before.

It's a seminal event and often inspiration for poems etc. as we know.

Autumn will be here soon enough, I guess. 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

A wonderfull summary of the seasons in words of rhythm and rhyme Paul. But you missed one out... what about the football season?

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers, T and thanks for the kind words.

Yes...Aston Villa have just lost 1-3 to Hansa Rostock in Germany and 0-1 to Walsall the other day. Pre-season, I know. The real thing is getting very close.

And what about those Lionesses?! [Loved a comment I saw on SM after they beat Sweden..."the best..and worst penalty shootout ever". Exactly right!]

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Leeds are unbeaten in their pre-season, though they've only played Manchester United so far. They drew 0-0 with them in Stockholm this afty. They've got Villa at Elland Road on 22 November... can we still be friends?

I haven't really been taking any notice of the women's Euros due to the absence of Ireland in them, and I reckon it'll be decades before the Bulgarian women qualify. Good luck to everybody though!

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

'It's just a game.' Isn't that what Bill Shankly said or something like that. Maybe not but all's fair in love and fitbar so may the best team win and we still share a virtual guiness afterwards. Roll on the new season!

 

Submitted by celticman on

rhyme is cruel, rhyme is right, that's what I learnt at school. I unlearnt it too. Marking time with geese like you. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM. Rhyme can be cruel, depending on who is writing it. I try my best, though..

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Good poetry! -Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks kind of you, Tom.

Thank you. 

Keep well, my friend. 

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Lovely poem with the usual aplomb. Loved 'naked ice horses', a sensual image !!!

hilary  cool

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Hilary. Glad you liked this one. Dunno about aplomb but I do my best. :)