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Poetry Sunday: Midnight Snow by James Crew

No otters and no snow here but I can remember well living in places where there were both and I remember enjoying seeing otters playing in the water of a lake. That's why this poem spoke to me when I came across it in my search for a poem to feature this week. And so, here it is. I hope you enjoy it. 

Midnight Snow

by James Crew

Outside in the creek that feeds the lake
and never freezes, an otter slaps the water
with his paw to feel the current's pulse—
Slip in, lie back. Slip in, lie back. He shuts
his eyes and obeys, knowing the layers
of hair and underfur will warm him while
he floats on a faith we wish could carry us.
 
The sound of his splashing fades, but not
his joy in being pushed, light as driftwood,
back to the mouth of the den I have seen
carved out beneath the roots of a fallen fir
now packed with snow and lined with leaves
that promise his sleep will be deep.
 
Because no dreams wait softly for me,
I open the woodstove and strike a match,
hold the bloom of the flame to kindling
that catches quick as my wish: To be that
slick body sliding into the lake that holds
the moon, bright portal to glide through
without so much as a shiver, no doubt
about where I'm going, how to get there.
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Comments

  1. David M. Gascoigne,February 1, 2026 at 5:05 AM

    I have watched otters and marvelled. Perhaps at time I have wished to be like them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:07 AM

      To be so seemingly carefree and able to enjoy playing...

      Delete
  2. AlanaFebruary 1, 2026 at 6:58 AM

    Loving the imagery of the poet lighting his stove. Do any creatures, watching us, wish they were us? Will we ever know?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:09 AM

      Somehow I doubt that they envy us but you are right I think - we will never know.

      Delete
  3. jabblogFebruary 1, 2026 at 7:09 AM

    Otters are such elegant, cheerful creatures. What must it be like to live outside all year round, in all kinds of weather, with nothing but a thick, well-designed coat for protection?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lark@LarkWritesFebruary 1, 2026 at 10:13 AM

    He paints such a lovely picture. And I love watching otters; they're so fun. Great choice of poem! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersFebruary 1, 2026 at 11:14 AM

      I think he must have spent a lot of time observing otters to be able to describe them so well.

      Delete
  5. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzFebruary 6, 2026 at 8:32 AM

    I've never seen an otter. but I loved reading Tarka the Otter. It's fun to think about how wonderful it would be to be an otter.

    ReplyDelete

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