Winter’s Heavenly Glide

In the memoir, Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses, author Claire Dederer talks about my love of the seasons and how I tend to weave a seasonal theme into my yoga classes.  Claire Dederer took yoga classes with me some years ago and I am delighted to be embedded in her memoir.  If you haven’t read the book, it is a good read.  The author is absolutely correct when she says seasonal themes are a part of my classes.  We humans are like trees, taking a rest during the shorter days of winter and coming into fullness on fine summer days.  Seasons and weather affect us, on and off the mat.  Apparently, seasons also make their way into my blog writing.

I went cross-country skiing yesterday with Bev and Bob and was mesmerized by the winter scenery around me.  I glided across the trails and felt overwhelmed by the beauty of my environment. I felt a deep appreciation for Washington state, one of the most varied and gorgeous of states.

Below you will find some inspiring winter poems and photos from yesterday’s day on the ski trails.  Readers, if you come across an inspirational winter poem, please share with me by including it in the comment section below!

The Trail

Choices by Tess Gallagher
Suddenly, in every tree,
an unseen nest
where a mountain
would be.

Hints of blue sky

SNOWY WONDER
Lines: The Cold Earth Slept Below by Percy Shelley
The cold earth slept below;
Above the cold sky shone;

Meringue Snow

White-Eyes by Mary Oliver
In winter
all the singing is in
the tops of the trees

Trees grace the trail

Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams
All the complicated details
of the attiring and
the dis-attiring are completed!

Perfect Winter Scene

Information board donning a white turban