Matters not hue nor contour,
when winter’s crystal
flies and frosts the trees
birds’ feathers shiver large
to puff into warm coat fluff.
Arranged in tacit, ordered
array, clawed stoics cling
to chill branches until called
to trapeze feeders atwist
in arctic breeze.
Merril is today’s host for dVerse’ Quadrille Monday. Merril says:
Use shiver–or some form of the word—in a poem of exactly 44 words. The form is up to you. Shiver in rhyme, or shiver in free verse. Shiver in the past, present, or future.
Tao Talk 
I can hardly see the birds from our frozen trees and garden. Puff that warm coat fluff!
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just my thoughts today Lisa- so well captured – those little stoics “when”winter’s crystal
flies ”
that verb mirrors the birds – very nice double meaning
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Thank you, Laura for reading and your feedback :)
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I almost wrote about birds, too!
I love “clawed stoics.” They rather must be!
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Yes, I see them that way when they wait so patiently in the trees for their turns at the feeders. Thank you, Merril.
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You’re welcome. I always think about it with the geese and gulls in the cold water.
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This is so lovely Lisa.
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<3 Thank you, Linda.
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You’re welcome.
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The birds are such brave little heroes of survival
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<3
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This is so delightfully visual, Lisa! I especially love:
‘birds’ feathers shiver large
to puff into warm coat fluff.’
– I can just picture it :-)
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Thank you, Ingrid :)
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Love this, Lisa. I feel like I’m at our local arboretum which is also a bird sanctuary.
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REALLY beautiful, rather makes me wish I had attempted to use nature as well, though not sure could have pulled it off like this…
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I was just watching a YT video about how they fluff their feathers to create pockets of warmth. I have a feeder and love to watch them. Actually I have 2 feeders and slo a table where i set out peanuts every morning. Lovely seasonal poem!
ps–in regard to your comment at my blog “nice if you can pull it off”, that was the whole point. No one caught the wry tone I intended. I’m not a fan of advice and doubt that anyone gets quietly reflective while having the tar kicked out of them! ;-)
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That doesn’t surprise me about the bird feathers. A few years back when we had chickens I wanted to put a heater out in their pen in winter. My then-boyfriend said there was no need as they form a “chicken ball” and keep each other warm. Putting a heater in there would be counterproductive and a fire risk.
LOL on your poem and have to agree :)
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Your words describe so perfectly the winter cardinal….puffing out to be warm and then that trapeze movement on the feeder! Well done.
I always take delight sitting beside my daughter’s enclosed sun room window, watching the birds come to the feeder.
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Thanks much, Lillian :)
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We had our first really cold night (Florida cold) last night and this morning I did see some puffed up birds trying to keep warm. We have several feeders and one was covered in an assortment of tiny birds getting their daily sustenance to survive the cold. Thanks for a lovely snapshot of how stoic birds are when facing the winter harshness.
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Bodhi, it is amazing how they set the example for us. I like what Bjorn said. Thank you for reading and your comment. Hope your weather warms up soon.
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We are both a bit birdy today! Love the way you packed this quadrille tightly and your use of “shiver”. Cardinals are so stunning. I searched for the perfect bird watching photo, then my husband just caught another shot of mama on the feeder a few minutes ago that I couldn’t resist adding. Little troopers in the snow!
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Thanks much, “Someone” Will be looking for your husband’s photo to see who this comment came from :)
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Ah yes, Mish! That’s a great shot of the cardinal.
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lovely poem that mirrors your amazing pic Lisa, love it! Sun is out so off to walk my beach :)
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Kate, wouldn’t it be neat to change hemispheres for just a day? I’d love to be out walking the beach in the sun right now.
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lol not sure I’d cope with your cold Lisa, but I’d so love all those little birds :)
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It is a shivering time for the birds. The cardinals do have a time keeping balanced on a swinging feeder!
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Yes it is! We got over another half foot last night and today. Snowed in again and I’m ok with it :) Snowmobiles have been going up and down the road today.
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Wow! Stay warm and enjoy!
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Aww, sweet poem but it made me shiver when I read it. We are in a freeze here.
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Where are you at, Mary? We got over half a foot in the last 24 hours. Last week was colder but not much snow.
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I am in the western part of Massachusetts. Luckily, we haven’t had a lot of snow. Last week about 8″. Mostly cold. From-8 – high 20s. Lots of ice! Spring can’t come soon enough for me.
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I hear you on spring. Winter has fulfilled its obligation. Now it’s time to move on ;)
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While we barely have had any snow this winter in central New Jersey so far, though there have been some cold nights, I sure as heck am ready for spring! :-)
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They are all in the same ‘boat’ out there and all adjust themselves in the same way. Winter birds are such sturdy creatures!
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Indeed, Susan!
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What a perfect visual you created with your 44 words.
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Ali, thank you!
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Oh, yes! How our little birds fluffed up during the recent snow. Well done, I can see it so perfectly.
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Sascha I’m glad you have your birdies to watch also. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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A beautifully painted picture of words.
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Thank you, Carol.
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I liked the “clawed stoics” among the frosted trees. Just chillin’ in the chill.
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I watch them every day out there and wonder how they do it. You’re right, they know how to chill in the chill :)
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“trapeze feeders”! brilliant image
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Thank you, Alexandra.
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Terrific trapeze feeder image. Never a wasted word. I love your quadrilles, Lisa.
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K thanks for reading and your lovely comment.
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I love this! And I’m drinking Snarky Tea from my Cardinal in Snow mug as I peruse the posts tonight. Our birds match! I look forward to your posts on the Tao. I so love it. I have several books I read in the tradition.
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What a perfect mug to drink from in winter. Happy to hear you read taobooks. I’m sure we’ll have some fun conversations. Welcome to Tao Talk!
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I enjoyed your use of alliteration and internal rhymes in this, Lisa!
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Lynn, happy you are pleased with the read. Thank you :)
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A vivid description of winter scene Li.
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m feeling that chill, can you tell?
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I can. Very palpable through your words
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Great descripton of the pic…perfect.
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Thank you, Max.
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These birds are very determined! How they shiver,yet stand undeterred! :)
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Q, yes!
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It’s Veera :)
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Ah, ok. Good to know, Veera :) I will do my best to remember.
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Lovely visual paean to heroic feathered soldiers! ❤️
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Wonderful description of them, Punam.
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❤️
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A lovely quadrille, Lisa. Describes the picture perfectly!
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I watch these little critters a lot. Thank you, Jay.
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I got cold just reading
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This isn’t related to the prompt itself, Lisa, but I love how you employed the word “tacit” in this poem – it flows so well in both meaning and sound to me…
<3
David
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Thank you, David :) It does seem like they have a tacit understanding of who goes to the feeder next.
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I so love – clawed stoics – as if at once pejorative and yet also positive characteristic.
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Thanks, Paul. I don’t think they’d make it through winter without those seemingly impervious to cold feet.
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I really enjoyed this — I can see the puff and fluff while trying desperately to get to birdseed inside a storm-blown feeder.
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Happy you enjoyed it, Phillip, thank you :)
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So true–from sparrows to hawks. What a wonderful visitor for a cold day! (K)
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They keep the cats and I company.
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Lovely!
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Thank you.
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Brrr – feel chilly reading this. Great winter picture in your poem Lisa.
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Thank you, Marion.
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Very nice poem love that. Great winter picture in your poem.
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Thanks much.
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I love 💕 bird! Sometimes I wish I were a bird…
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What kind of bird would you wish to be?
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Which do you like?
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Wonderful
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Thank you!
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love your poem Lisa! 👏👏
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Thanks, Cindy!
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They are most resilient!
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A beautiful post thank you so much
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You’re welcome.
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Beautiful depiction of scenery
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Thank you.
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mine pleasure dear
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Beautifully written ❤🌹
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Thank you.
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You’re very welcome
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Great poem.
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Thank you.
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You are welcome.
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