I had the great honor of choosing the image for Colleen’s syllabic poetry challenge this week. So, of course, I had to play.
This is a crown cinquain. Each of the five stanzas has five lines of 2/4/6/8/2 syllables.
Snow Child
Winter
frees her fair hair
hushed in her reflection
by the sparrow’s river she kneels
entranced
…
she wills
doves to gather
on the night’s bare branches
as autumn yields its golden crown
to cold
…
she weaves
her white tresses
into lace coverlets
unfurls across the towhee’s nest
her gift
…
magic
silvers the boughs
stirred by the horned owl’s wing
in flight between the evergreen
she waits
…
snow child
whispers a hymn
rapt by her own beauty
tranquil in the holy dawn of
winter
Myths of the Mirror 
beautiful image, beautiful tanka. 😍💕
check this out https://littlethings001.wordpress.com/2020/11/26/dearest-elise/
thanks.
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Thanks for stopping by to read the poem, I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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[…] D. Wallace Peach […]
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Diana, this is amazing! Your magical words brought this image to life. Thanks so much for playing along. LOVE this! ❤
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Thanks so much for the opportunity to pick the image and the ongoing motivation to play with poetry, Colleen. I would participate in every one of your challenges if I could fit it in. Sigh. Have a wonderfully creative and happy healthy week, my friend. I hope things calm down for you soon!
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Thank you. It’s been a really trying time for us, but I see light at the end of the tunnel. ❤
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That’s good to hear. Take a deep breath. ❤
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A beautiful poem! Almost as if you picked the picture for it, not the other way around!
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Thanks HRR. I did pick the picture first and then figured I’d better put on my writing hat and get busy. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a great Sunday and wonderful week. Take care and Happy Writing.
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Finally getting to visit and enjoyed this so much. Thank you!
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Thanks for stopping by to read, Amanda. It’s so nice to see you here. I’m a big fan of visual arts in general and love the old illustrations of fairy tales. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, my friend. ❤ ❤
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Wow what a story…
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Thank you, Jay. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem. I loved the image/artwork and was inspired to give something a try. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing. 🙂
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It’s great to find new things to inspire us to write 😎
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Colleen’s weekly prompts are fun. I always thought that syllabic poetry would feel stifling, but it’s actually be really fun to try make a poem work within the constraints. 😀
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I think so, too! It’s like doing a puzzle….I like the challenge
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Exactly!
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Absolutely gorgeous 😍
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Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I love these fairy tale images and they always spark my imagination. Happy Writing, Jude. ❤
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Pleasure. Btw I finished my meet the muse piece. Scheduled for Thursday 👌🏾
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Excellent! I’m looking forward to it!
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💜
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Nicely done!
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Thanks, Mark. I had a lot of fun with this beautiful image and can fall into these fairy tales easily. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy Writing, my friend. 😀
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Absolutely beautiful Diana, both the image and the words.. a lovely crown cinquain ♥
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Thanks you, Sally. I just love the magical work of Bauer and Rackham and Dulac. The imagery is so evocative. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. The image made me think of the first snowfall of the year. Hugs. ❤
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Oh! This is so beautiful, Diana! I feel like I’ve opened a door to a wintery wonderland reading your poem!! ❤❄☃
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Thanks, Sarah. I love the hush of the woods right before the first snowfall. And those first snowflakes are pure magic. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. ❤ I love the illustration and had to give it a go. Have a wonderful evening, my friend.
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Indeed they are! And you have a wonderful day! ❤
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This is so beautifully written, Diana.
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Thanks, Robbie. I love these old illustrations and this one intrigued me. Of course I had to write something for it. Thanks for the visit and have a lovely evening.
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Perfect for the image. You certainly have an amazing talent for putting words together, Diana!
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Aw, thanks, Teri. I pictured the dark forest when those first snow flakes of winter descend through the branches. It’s magical. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. 😀
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Beautiful poem, your words fully woven to match the scene of this picture, Diana, well done.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. That was kind of you, and I’m honored that you enjoyed the poem. Have a lovely day and be well. 🙂
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Beautiful. And so cool to see a picture made from a painter from my country 😊🇸🇪
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I remember being a little girl and completely entranced by Bauer’s illustrations and those of Rackham. It was a pleasure to let the imagination dive into one. Thanks for reading. Be well. 🙂
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[…] you Colleen and Diana for choosing this compelling image that instantly pulled me into this […]
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Beautiful poem 🙂
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful week and be well. 🙂
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Diana that gave me goosebumps. I could feel a breeze portending snow. (Quite a feat for you since it’s 77 degrees right now! LOL) I continue to marvel at your talent with this kind of thing. My head hurts just considering trying, let alone actually sitting down to do it.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with us. Hugs on the wing.
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Great selection of the artistic image and the picturesque crown cinquain depicting a beautiful progression. Absolutely lovely, Diana!
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Thank you, Miriam for the lovely comment. It’s fun to write something creative for a change. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely afternoon and evening, my friend. Take care. ❤
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Fab photo offering so many interpretations. Of course you wrote a beautiful cinquain to go with it. Congrats Diana. I hope to hop on! ❤
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Thanks so much, Debby. I figured I’d better write something since I picked the image. 🙂 ai just love Bauer and Rackham and the fabulous illustrations of fairy tales. They’re inspiring. Have a lovely evening and be well. ❤
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Well thank you again. Enjoy yours too, hope it’s cozy like mine 🙂 ❤
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The image has many interpretations but your imagination is superb Diana! Snow child… probably this child is just preparing for snow but you were already there! No wonder you write perfect fantasy! Outstanding poem.
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Thanks so much, Balroop. I was on the cusp of snow for sure – that dark time when the first flakes start drifting through the trees. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed this. Have a lovely afternoon and Happy Writing. ❤
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Serene and marvelous poem, Diana and what an amazing picture. Too mysterious for the snow child. Lovely post.
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Thanks for stopping by, Kamal. I’m so glad you enjoyed this poem and the illustration. Have a wonderful day and be well, my friend. 🙂
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You are welcome dear Diana. Take care and stay safe and you too have a wonderful day.
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I love especially the owl stanza. Magic. (K)
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Thanks for the kind comment, Kerfe. The compliment from a poet of your caliber started my morning with a giant smile. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Happy Writing and be well. ❤
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Thanks, you too.
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Beautiful!
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read, and I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. The illustration was so evocative. I had to give it a try. Have a lovely day and be well. ❤
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Truly lovely, Diana. It fits the picture perfectly. Stay safe. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Hi Suzanne. Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment. It’s lovely to see you. I hope you’re doing well and taking good care of your health during these strange times. Hugs, my friend. ❤
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❤
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what a great capture of feeling and emotions with your great photo pic and poem Diana!
Nice job!✨✨✨✨✨❤️ Cindy
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Thank you for the visit and kind comment, Cindy. I love writing creatively and this was a fun opportunity. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely, creative day, my friend. ❤
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You have captured the spirit of winter. You reminded me of my life in Northern Manitoba where night reigned in winter and the auroral borealis would come out to play, as children do on a sandy beach. Poignant and joyful at the same time, Diana.
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Thanks so much for the beautiful comment, Rebecca. I love the feel of the northern woods just as the first snowfall filters lightly through the trees. It’s so quiet and magical. I’m glad the poem brought back some wonderful memories. Yay. Have a happy, healthy day, my friend.
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The fourth stanza gave me goosebumps- love this!
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Thanks so much, Jacquie. I’m glad you enjoyed this. The first snowfall of winter is always full of magic. This image is one of my favorites and it was fun to write for it. ❤ ❤
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I love the image and I could totally see the poem being a part of a larger fantasy story 🤔. Lovely. Takes me away into the world of the image.
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Thanks so much, Tessa, for the visit and the wonderful comment. I wanted to capture that silent night when the first snow starts drifting through the trees. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤
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Powerful poetry here, Diana!
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Aw thank you, Patricia. I love these fairy tale illustrations and find them so inspiring. I’m glad you enjoyed this little herald of winter. 🙂 Be well.
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You are such a talented writer, Diana. Your stories and poems always take me on a journey to another world. I love the photo selection and the beautiful poem you wrote to accompany it!
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment and the visit. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, and the Bauer image is one of my favorites. Have a lovely day and be well. ❤
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Both the image and your words are haunting. Beautiful. Truly lovely job 🙂
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Thanks, Jess. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I’m enjoying a bit of creative writing again after all the book stuff. And I love these classic illustrations. Happy Writing, my friend. 😀
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Enjoy the freedom!!
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I love your extended metaphor for the coming of winter. For me, there are echoes of one of my favorite fairy tales, “The Snow Queen.”
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Thanks so much, Liz. I like that story too, and the illustration is based on a Swedish tale of a child who lost her heart (somewhat similar). I was trying to capture that feeling in the wood just before the snow falls. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. ❤ ❤ ❤
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You’re most welcome, Diana. 🙂
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That is beautiful. I couldn’t help but think that she didn’t get cold, like wolves. And that carried me a whole new direction.
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I love your comment, Jacqui. No, she doesn’t get cold. That was my impression too. Can winter experience cold? Thanks so much for stopping by to read, my friend.
AND thank you for the reviews! I saw them on Amazon this morning. You gave me a huge smile. 😀
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Magical… ❤
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Thank you, Bette. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem. I love Colleen’s challenges and would like to do more of them. 🙂 Happy Haiku, my friend. ❤
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Very nice. I noticed that the snow child, dancing in the cold air on that winter’s evening, is with a different bird in each stanza. Must be her feathery-fine hair…
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Thanks to the visit and kind comment, Trent. I wanted to add a fox, but stuck with the birds. 😀 You know those nights when the air smells of snow, and the very first flakes drift down… Have a wonderful evening.
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Yep, that is how I pictured it as I read.
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So beautiful, Diana. ❤️
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Thanks, Jill. The illustration is so pretty I couldn’t resist. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ ❤
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I did! ❤
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Beautiful accompaniments, one to the other. There’s true poetry in your soul, Diana. 🙂
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Such a sweet thing to say, Steven. I feel like a dabbler when it comes to poetry. But I’m so glad you enjoyed this. I find these old illustrations sublimely beautiful. 🙂 Happy Writing, my friend.
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Yes, that is an amazing illustration you discovered. Stay well, Diana. 🙂
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The photo and words are so haunting, but also innocent. Beautiful work as always.🕯
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Thanks so much, Julie, for the lovely comment. I felt that ethereal, haunting too, and also that waiting for those first pristine flakes of snow. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Have a lovely evening, my friend.
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You picked an amazing picture, Diana:) Your poem is beautiful. I love that you made it a snow theme, it really fit. The images reminded me of our current moment right before winter as the storm hits.
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Denise. There isn’t much snow in the picture. LOL. But I was thinking of the darkness just before the first flakes fall. We don’t get much winter, but when it comes, it’s beautiful.
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Diana, you spin pure magical beauty with your words. I can’t even see words, just imagery. You truly have a gift for this. I love this piece. My favourite part is: “she wills
doves to gather
on the night’s bare branches
as autumn yields its golden crown
to cold”. Simply divine ❤
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Thank you so much for the kind comment, Lenora. I’m mesmerized by these vintage illustrations. And since I picked this one, I figured I’d better write for it! Lol. Wishing you tranquility, my friend. ❤
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They really are beautiful!
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Beautiful, Diana.
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Thank you, Steve. I just love these fairy-tale illustrations. They’re so inspiring. I appreciate the visit and the kind comment. ❤
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Lovely, lovely, lovely.
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Thanks so much, Anneli. I’m glad you enjoyed this. I just finished Reckoning Tide a few minutes ago. 🙂 I read the whole thing today – such a page-turner! Have a great day and be well. ❤
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There’s a lot of personal adventure in that book – embellished, of course, and changed around. But we really did get stranded by the tide there – and a few other things. Lots of fodder for a book. Thanks a lot for reading it. I appreciate it very much.
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Your familiarity with the area and fishing boats shows. 🙂
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Thanks, D.
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Oh, my gosh! Exquisite words and image.
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Thanks so much, Laurie. I really love writing creatively and trying my hand at poetry. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. The image is stunning, so I had to try. 🙂 Have a lovely day. ❤
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Beautiful! I especially love the third stanza with the towhee’s nest. Have you read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey? Highly recommend it, and perfect for the season, I think.
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I have that book in paperback and just haven’t cracked it open yet. I should do that this winter. (I’m so used to reading kindle now that I forget about my paper books). Thanks for the lovely comment, my friend. And I’m looking forward to your launch! (I keep checking). ❤
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My Nanowrimo writing delayed my launch just a little. I’m glad I’m doing both. And I still will have the launch soon. Thanks for watching for it! ❤
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Lovely image and tanka Diana! I hope my muse returns.
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Thanks, Brad. I’m glad you enjoyed this. The muses are gathering outside me writing room and soon I’m going to have to do something about it. Next post. 🙂
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Ha, ha. Would send back my muse please. He’s been MIA for a while. 🙂
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I will. I’m not sure what they’re up to!
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Mischief!
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