Cover art for winter in moscow

winter in moscow

by Leya

Published December 17, 2024

In General Poetry

Comments & reviews · 3
User avatar
Leya
Comment
Stickied · Leya commented Comment · Dec 17, 2024

Text Version:

snow began to descend—
a thousand pale hands unfurled snow and frost.
the wounds of earth vanished
leaving only the scent of ginger and molasses.
the oak tree in our backyard was covered in
a sheet of white
and the clouds reflected a gray canvas that
engulfed the house whole.

things were simpler back then
i would wait for you at the bus stop
in my maroon jacket that was three sizes too large.
you would laugh, and i would pretend i wasnt shivering,
pretend my hands weren’t empty
as we walked back home.
you were always off work late, so i
savored the rare moments we had together.

dinner was always simple—
boiled potatoes, a cracked egg, and rye bread.
you would tell stories while we ate about palaces on red square,
about faraway oceans that did not freeze over in winter,
places where we could wear summer
on our skin.

I remember your hands, knuckles scraped from carrying too much
and when you gave me that secondhand coat
the green one with buttons missing
you smiled like you had given me the world.

whenever i see snow i always think of you
and the thousand pale hands of frost
that you never let touch me.

User avatar
ash120819
Review
ash120819 wrote a review Review · Dec 24, 2024

this poem is so sweet. i love everything about it, from the extended pale frost hand metaphor, to the powerful storytelling. i can feel the love that the other person in the story has for the narrator, working long hours to make sure that the narrator always had warmth and food. the part about the green secondhand coat is so beautiful and moving. it may have not been much, but it was everything the person could offer to the narrator. overall, amazing poem, I loved it, keep it up :)

User avatar
Alwaysea
Review
Alwaysea wrote a review Review · Dec 22, 2024

It's truly a beautiful memory, one that flows like water every time we feel a deep connection. It's such a blessing to have a sister like that—a soulmate and a partner in everything. I especially loved the part where you mentioned, "When you gave me the second-hand coat, the green one with the missing button, you smiled like you had given me the world." It shows just how caring and loving she is toward you. It’s a reflection of the pure and innocent childhood we cherish. I wish I had a sister like that too.
It is really really beautiful 😍...



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