Winter Blades by Douglas Florian

Douglas Florian has written children books for many years. He also enjoys writing poetry that is appealing to a larger audience and allows poetic license in its expression.

His poems are enjoyable. They intend to provoke emotions and nostalgia. This poem is taken from his book of poetry "Winter Eyes." He also creates his own images to add direction to the poems. However, even without the illustrations, you can imagine wintery scenes.

This poem addresses the harness of winter. Winter is denoted with steel, while summer is denoted with grass. This focuses attention on how people stay inside in the winter. This insinuates winter when the work gets done, "Blades of steel to steal a lead, to spin until our senses real."

Creating the idea that winter is industrious, takes us away from the usual thoughts of cabin fever. People often associate indoor activities with awful weather and having nothing to do. Ice skating implies the weather does not keep people inside. Winter is fun and a winter sport. Otherwise it is long days of work, school and achievement.

By breaking the word "glide" into individual letters a tone is created. Simply saying, "glide," would actually be easier. Extending the word out adds motion to the word. In addition, it staggers the annunciation. Perhaps this gliding we do during the winter is why we do so much and remember so little about the, "great geometries," carved out.

This poem speaks to the heart and mind. It creates a bond across all ages with an event everyone relates to. It gives winter greater purpose, while maintaining a glow of innocence.

Quirky Books
Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian