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Dreaming of Lilacs

January 19, 2010 by Margaret L. Been

Winter is beautiful.  Winter is invigorating.  Winter is fun.  Given these attributes, we can also add:  winter is cold, winter can be treacherous on the roads, winter paths are slippery, and winter is long.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that it’s a social “No-No” to talk about spring in the winter.  If I so much as mentions lilacs or soft south winds, someone will say, “I LOVE winter.  Winter is so beautiful.” 

The inference is:  “What in the world is wrong with you, to talk about lilacs in the gorgeous winter?”  Or:  “Are you ever a wimp!” 

Nearly forever, I have written poems about life lying dormant in winter–waiting to burst forth in spring.  Nearly forever, I’ve used the metaphor of winter to express the darkest, coldest moments of my human soul.  People who “just don’t get poetry” have read these poems, and commented with a sneer, “You don’t like winter very much!”

But I’m not alone in my choice of metaphor.  The four seasons would be hackneyed symbols in literature, were it not for their universality–their ability to touch sensitive people in many cultures with a common experience.

Disregarding skiers, dog-sled racers, ice skaters, and other lovers of bitter cold weather, I’ll go on dreaming of lilacs.  And while dreaming, there are things to do in anticipation of spring.  I cut dogwood and honeysuckle branches, place them in a vase of water indoors, and watch the buds pop.  I save my long hair, culled from my hairbrush, to hang on tree branches for birds’ nests in May.

No one should ever apologize for dreaming of lilacs!  We have a right to dream! 

Margaret L. Been–All Rights Reserved

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Posted in Daylight is Increasing, Lilacs, The deep cold days, Waiting for Spring, Winter in Wisconsin | Tagged Deep Cold, Increasing daylight, Lilacs, Waiting for Spring, Winter in Wisconsin, Winter Survival | 2 Comments

2 Responses

  1. on January 20, 2010 at 4:00 pm sunshine

    I love winter! But because it is a time to recharge our souls and bodies….to, in a sense, have our own time of dormancy. It is a time to read, nap, snuggle, plan and daydream of running sap, the song of a robin and that that first warm breath of spring.


  2. on January 23, 2010 at 8:31 pm Margaret L. Been

    Yes, winter is a time for rest and returningl I do savor the quiet days, and time to read read read! And knit!

    The running sap sounds great, however. I think I’ll crack open a bottle of REAL maple syrup and vicariously experience March. Or find a fleece to bury my nose in before washing and spinning it.

    Soon I’ll get in touch with my old spinning crowd that met frequently during the 80s and 90s. I think of my “up north” spinners a lot! 🙂



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