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Joy Gaines-Friedler: Winter, Go Ahead
Winter begins it all — not spring that rips through frost, but winter, where last night’s snow leaves a lawn of stars. No stops & starts of bees. No naïve leaves untouched by grief No fear of fire or counterfeit friends. Snow, white bodied bird, painter of silence, dancer who loves the air, reveal the details: let the branches be layers and layers of tree. Tonight I will wake to hear the sound of an owl (hope its call is answered by another – that her answer fills the cavity he lives in) see the moon lay its Templar light over everything even the swing-set in its cold metal. And like the half-frozen stems of reed-grass that struggle through, let us realize snow as defense. Tomorrow the sun will glaze the willow that grows by the river. We can never know what keeps it alive, or what will come next to change ours. Winter, go ahead. Quiet the crickets. The mowers. Lay your weight on the water, crystallize the edges.
Joy Gaines-Friedler is a poet and photographer who lives in Detroit.
Copyright 2020 Joy Gaines-Friedler
Vox Populi 
How stunningly beautiful, Joy!
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Thank you Alinda!
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Joy, this is astonoshing in its feeling and imagery…I love the words…I treasure this poem. Thank you. Debbie
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Thank you Debbie – I’m so glad it speaks to you.
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Boy that is winter. Thank you for sharing the thoughtful poem it’s almost like a prayer. I would love to hear you read it. I love your poem readings. Love you Diane
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Thank you Diane – I’m so happy you mentioned that it sounds like a prayer – I’ve often thought that poetry is like prayer.
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Congrats Joy, winter is beautiful, the silence and beauty of a snowfall, is a treasure many miss.
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While Winter may lay its weight on the water, the poem reminds us that it also dances, paints, and crystalizes. It silences and beautifies the world. A wonderful combination of photo and poem.
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Joy’s vision touches my soul.
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Ah, the beauty of the silence, of the art created by Winter. Evocative and peaceful.
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Joy captures the clear, pure feel which is the best part of our Michigan winters.
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that her answer fills the cavity he lives in) Love this.
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Beautiful sense of winter as refuge. I like that.
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I love the photo, capturing parts and pieces of winter. Fragments, fragmented.Like i feel.
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Thank you Michael Simms for creating this space for art. For connecting us through art. For letting art speak for us. You are an amazing curator and supporter.
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