Poem That Elliot Liked
You’ve heard of a “three dog night?” In our house it’s called a “three log night.” Although it’s been cold lately, it hasn’t been as cold as winters in the past when the frigid temperatures and howling winds have caused me to sleep with a wool hat on. On a night like that this poem was prompted. It was one that Elliot liked, which means a lot to me. Read why HERE.
Winter Sleep
Our limbs shift like logs
in a woodstove’s belly
stirring the heat
of our slumbering bodies
Comments
This reminds me of the house I lived in for ten years with only a woodstove for heat. The temperature outside was measured by how many logs it took to keep me warm. And I sometimes slept in sweats and sweater and hat too. Honestly, I prefer that to forced air heat, which really doesn't feel so warm.
Posted by: deirdre | January 23, 2007 1:18 AM
I love this poem! It is so exact...we also measure the cold temps up at the log cabin by saying if it was a 2 or 3 log night.
Posted by: Ruth | January 23, 2007 8:43 AM
We went through several logs Sunday during the messy icy weather. Martin got worn out going up and down the steps to the basement where he'd set a load in to stay dry. We don't have a wood stove but we use our fireplace when it dips into the cold temps. But you're right this year still hasn't been too bad.
I like your poem.
Posted by: Deana | January 23, 2007 8:47 AM
Love it! Nothing warms as good as a wood (except maybe slumbering limbs). Stay warm!
Posted by: susan | January 23, 2007 9:17 AM
We heat entirely with wood! So on a cold day keeping the fire going is the chore du jour.
Posted by: colleen | January 23, 2007 9:32 AM
i went back to the open mic for elliot post. it made me want to live there!
Posted by: chris | January 23, 2007 10:06 AM
Great Poem Colleen, I'm not heating with wood currently but I occasionally miss it. & yes, to answer your question in your comment on my blog, all 3 of my kids have red hair!
Posted by: Becky | January 23, 2007 2:00 PM
I was doing that stirring the other night. Of course it was cold and I had my window open so it served me right. Couldn't get my feet warm even with a Temperapedic foam mattress top on the bed... brrrr.
Posted by: srp | January 23, 2007 2:10 PM
short, simple, and poignant....me likes it!
Posted by: bluemountainmama | January 23, 2007 2:27 PM
That's a WONDERFUL poem Colleen! I like it a whole lot! You packed such wobderful imagery in just a few sentences...THAT is a true gift with words.
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | January 23, 2007 4:21 PM
That's a great poem and I sent it on to my daughter and son-in-law who live in NY State and heat by wood also.
Posted by: ginnie | January 23, 2007 5:02 PM
*** I miss heating with wood -- we had a great wood cookstove (Did a mean thanksgiving turkey!) at out other house...toasty and oh so wonderful thru bad winter nites. Our gas furnace is not even close...an' Way too expensive.
Posted by: Lauri | January 23, 2007 5:18 PM