Tag / Winter

by Colette

Short Poetry Spotlight – The Cold, Sleepy Chill of Winter Darkness

Written by Dizzy Dazzle

Awake in a Sleeping World

I’m awake in a sleeping world.
Buses yawning as they drift down icy roads,
Smoke rising lazily from the rooftops of quiet buildings,
Tucked away in the darkness,
The sky blinking groggily back at me.
I see the moon, snoring behind blankets of clouds, mumbling in its sleep;
Refusing to give itself away to the energetic sun.
A sigh of wind, almost silent
Before lights come on.
Awake in a sleeping world.

Winter

One morning early in winter
I did see
A man and his dog
Walking through the dark trees.
They lean in close
And speak;
Can you hear them?

Husha, husha, husha,
Sing the trees.
The wind blows so eerily
Winter is here they sing.

They walk up the hill,
Breath steaming in the icy air.
Beware, beware sing the trees
Winter is here.

No sun here,
But shady hollows and frozen streams
That once flowed
Easily, dreamily.

Footprints in the grimy snow,
A man and his dog
Walk through the dark trees,
One morning
Early in winter.

Bringer of winter darkness, Dizzy Dazzle’s poetry is simple yet gorgeous. As dive head first into winter and its cold snap, sleep comes easy and we take to hibernation during those months – just like animals. We go out less, bringing the parties indoors when the weather is terrible. But when we do venture out on those crisp and fresh early mornings, with our breath hanging in the air as we breathe, we cherish the moments of clarity. If you enjoyed our Short Poetry Spotlight, perhaps you should view our previous edition here. If you’re captivated by Dizzy’s work though, why not view her previously published work “Howlers”. 

Featured Image CC // Anja Jonsson

by Colette

Winter Editorial – There’s Magic in the Moonlight

Hey Inkblotters!

It always comes as a surprise when the end of the year draws near. We’re starting to pop on our woolly knits and embrace the cold air over a warm cup of tea, coffee or even mulled wine. And of course there’s Christmas to start thinking about. The rush of shoppers as they take to the high street and plow through their savings is more than just a little bit bonkers. Think Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which will clearly be many times worse since the 5p bag charge was brought in for the UK.

With all that said though, it’s still the most magical time of the year. Tonight it’s Bonfire Night, so get out your sparklers and your rockets, or go watch a beautiful display disperse in the dark sky. And afterwards, it’s time to start thinking of a white Christmas.

Inkblotters may have noticed we’ve changed our format for the end of 2015. Inkblots will be moving into seasonal issues, given the closure of our lovely little writing forum. But that’s not to say the magazine will be closing its doors – in fact we’re looking to rebrand ourselves entirely for 2016 with a new logo and look. There will be more information on all of the above in the New Year Editorial.

For our Winter issue, it’s all about magic in the moonlight. So we’ve got some cracking poetry from Dizzy Dazzle in a new Short Poetry Spotlight on November 25th, alongside short fantasy fiction from Dice on December 5th and, later, Doishy on the 10th. Our content will conclude with an absolutely beautiful tribute poem from Ashcloud on the Inkwell writing forum’s closure – a must-read on December 20th.

Of course, we’re still continuing with our Half Hour Challenge themes. November’s theme is Magic in the Moonlight, while December’s theme comes under Farewell. Both of which are beautifully fitting for the time of year, as well as the closure of The Inkwell.

Before I forget, for any of those participating in NaNoWriMo, that’s National Novel Writing Month, I must wish you the very best of luck. Yet again, I cannot dedicate the time to take part in it, though I envy those who can! I say it every year, and I’ll say it again, but one year I shall definitely take the time out and participate.

For now though, it’s time for me to say a fond farewell to our lovely readers in 2015 and I’ll be back with the New Year Editorial in January. How time flies, eh? Make sure you have a wonderful Christmas.

– Colette, Inkblots Editor

Featured Image CC // Annie Fischinger

by Colette

Wake Me When It’s Winter

Written by Blue-Eyed Devil

They call aloud with happy tone
“Come, leap from shade and frost!
Shake the cold from soul and bone!”
So I know the fools are lost.

The blooming flowers spread their ploy
Heralding the coming thaw
The wickedness of springtime joy
Chills me to my core

Let the north wind take me to flight
O’er laughing faces and merriment
Away from scorching, summer light
And speed the days of long lament.

Let me sleep away the warmth,
And wake me when it’s winter.
Goodbye, farewell, so long at last,
And wake me when it’s winter.

Blue-Eyed Devil’s poem was written on behalf of a previous Half Hour Challenge – it was great but never quite fitted in with our Inkblots’ themes. Now we have the perfect chance to publish it under our running theme, hope. As you may be able to tell, our poet isn’t a big fan of the summer months and loves a cold snap in the air. Well, it’s winter now, Blue. If you enjoyed his poetry, make sure you check out some of Blue’s other work including last month’s ‘Little Candle‘ and the short story ‘Thankfully Forgetful‘. 

Featured Image // Moyan Brenn

by Colette

35.1

Written by Bobartles

N.B. The title refers to the writer’s core body temperature at the time of writing.

Hammersmith Bridge, London: I hear her footsteps tap across the bridge…
Image Courtesy of Reddit

“You’re cold,” she says.

I shift my hands in my pockets as she appears at my side, not taking my eyes off the shifting lights of the motorway beneath us. She crosses her arms and leans back on the railing. I feel her eyes on me.

“I’m fine,” I lie.

She keeps staring at me, brown-blonde hair catching the feeble rays from above and shining as bright as the headlamps far below. I don’t meet her gaze.

“No,” she murmurs after a moment. “You’re not. You’re really not.”

I don’t reply.

“Are you going to the funeral?” she asks quietly.

“Maybe.” The words haven’t even registered. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a little voice starts screaming something. I ignore it.

“That’s it?” She’s staring at me even harder now. I avoid looking at her face, but I can imagine the look of shock.

Silence, besides the rumbling below. She turns away. Continue reading →

by Colette

Dip

Written by Rob

Black ice: Beautiful but deadly.
Image Courtesy of valleynewslive.com

My car hit the water in a shallow dive. I’d always thought of water as a soft landing, but the car stopped like it had hit concrete. No matter, seatbelt and airbag kept things relatively comfortable. I’m feeling quite calm, which amazes me. The car is semi-floating in the lake but the front is sinking quite fast. There’s lots of bubbling and hissing of hot parts. I can feel the back-end floating up behind me, tipping me forward against the seatbelt. I have no idea how deep this lake is. Continue reading →