Jewel-Clad Beauty

Story ID:	3790
Written by:	JANET KESSLER POLUDNIAK
Organization:	JUST ME
Story type:	Poem
Location:	Moravia NY USA
Year:	2008
Person:	A wintry storm inspired this poem. It's related to renewing our first love.

Earlier this year, we had a snowfall followed by an ice storm that did a lot of damage to trees in the area. I had occasion to venture out after the storm and the ice on the trees, though destructive, was beautiful in the early morning sunshine. This poem resulted. It has a strong correlation to marriage and renewing our first love.

Jewel-Clad Beauty - Revised
©2008, Janet K. Poludniak

At dawn, my world was aglow
with blinding brightness.
A unique, diamond-like glitter
blanketed nature's landscape.
If benevolent angels sprinkled them,
they couldn't have a more comely veneer.

An extraordinary sparkle resulted
as the sun touched every surface,
alluding to a wealthy dwelling place.
Trees on distant hills
appeared dusted with talc,
while those closer glistened
in bright, morning sunshine.

Every tree and wire resembled
a crystal playground from heaven.
Utility wires, adorned with jewels,
imitated awaiting jump ropes,
offering an electrifying place to play.
Tree limbs strained to reach skyward,
fragile arms robed in diamonds.

Sunlight penetrated the covering;
the frozen playground dripped icy nectar
to water the thirsty soil beneath.
All too soon—their riches spent—
my wintry wonderland returned
to familiar, colorless, barren attire.

It reminded me of a delicate,
passionate love grown lukewarm;
where once, a thing of beauty,
it became unintentional.
The extraordinary—long past—
no longer the primped and pretty,
jewel-clad beauty of love.

Deliberate, mutual effort
can ignite love's flame anew--
discovering a meaningful passion,
not solely physical attraction,
but cherishing the whole being--
maturely rekindling first love.