Winter has grey wings,
feathers of sodden soot
that come from concrete clouds
too dense to discern any light beyond.
Winter spawns grey wings
but spring is an architect of possibility
by a canal of colour that sweeps in
after the fright of the frost
and baths us in a blithe breath
that blows across a chest once in chains.
Round the red bricked bridge we ride,
each pedal pushing past the storms
that rained rivers through our winters.
Follow the river, she sings,
seasons are short but the earth is a sphere
turning towards the light,
dark doors open often into hopeful,
the river recalls its route
regardless of the water,
blue can be a bright beacon to bathe in,
black is only shadow
before it finds a reason to ignite in light,
bark is dry but the branch bares blossom.
We can be the water or the bridge,
the natural path or the paved plot,
the route is bright beyond the chains,
the greyest night is but a sleep behind
the colours waiting beyond the bend.
All words and water colours by Damien B. Donnelly
22nd poem for National Poetry Writing Month
Damien B. Donnelly 
Hi.. while you were looking at my white post I was reading this but then got distracted with the Lammele – all your fault of course 🙂 Anyway, I really like “the colours waiting beyond the bend” – you’d have anticipated this response! I’ve just unpacked a tiny book on colour and a phrase really jumped out at me: “..For colour is the child of light, the source of all life on earth.” and the thought made me smile with joy 🙂 🙂
I love this…winter does have its beauty, those grey wings, but the change of seasons keeps us renewed. Even the rhythm is very like a circle. (K)
I agree, I was always partial to winters coming but this spring feels lighter somehow
Especially after the winter! Contrast always magnifies.
I love this, Damien.
These lines especially:
“the river recalls its route
regardless of the water,
blue can be a bright beacon to bathe in,
black is only shadow
before it finds a reason to ignite in light, ”
I like your painting, too!
Thank you Merril, reaching out for positivity in even the darkest corners seems to be helping 🤗
😘