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Birth of Winter

By Glane
Created: 2024-10-18 01:27:26
Updated: 2024-10-18 22:21:28
Expiry: Never
poemsnowpony

  1. 1.
    I
  2. 2.
    The earth was warm,
  3. 3.
    The fields were green,
  4. 4.
    The soil was rich
  5. 5.
    Beneath the tree.
  6. 6.
     
  7. 7.
    Far in the north,
  8. 8.
    Where no eyes gazed,
  9. 9.
    The stars grew cold
  10. 10.
    With whispers strange.
  11. 11.
     
  12. 12.
    The dark of night,
  13. 13.
    The world was still,
  14. 14.
    The skies did hum
  15. 15.
    Winter's cold song.
  16. 16.
     
  17. 17.
    Dreams turned to frost,
  18. 18.
    And winds like blades,
  19. 19.
    Crept into hearts,
  20. 20.
    With chill so deep.
  21. 21.
     
  22. 22.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  23. 23.
     
  24. 24.
    II
  25. 25.
    The earth grew soft,
  26. 26.
    So warm below,
  27. 27.
    It stirred and shook
  28. 28.
    Beneath the tread.
  29. 29.
     
  30. 30.
    Mountains sighed loud,
  31. 31.
    And rivers moaned,
  32. 32.
    Something ancient
  33. 33.
    Woke in the north.
  34. 34.
     
  35. 35.
    The wise ones saw,
  36. 36.
    In visions clear,
  37. 37.
    A land of white,
  38. 38.
    A world of snow.
  39. 39.
     
  40. 40.
    None could tell how
  41. 41.
    This call to frost
  42. 42.
    Had grown so strong—
  43. 43.
    A yearning cold.
  44. 44.
     
  45. 45.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  46. 46.
     
  47. 47.
    III
  48. 48.
    The fields once green,
  49. 49.
    With songs of spring,
  50. 50.
    Now whispered low,
  51. 51.
    Of changing times.
  52. 52.
     
  53. 53.
    The roots grew cold,
  54. 54.
    The soil turned hard,
  55. 55.
    The north began
  56. 56.
    To call them forth.
  57. 57.
     
  58. 58.
    No call was heard,
  59. 59.
    No banners raised,
  60. 60.
    Yet hooves did turn
  61. 61.
    To distant peaks.
  62. 62.
     
  63. 63.
    Through forests dark,
  64. 64.
    Through rivers wide,
  65. 65.
    The march began,
  66. 66.
    Silent and sure.
  67. 67.
     
  68. 68.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  69. 69.
     
  70. 70.
    IV
  71. 71.
    It was one alone,
  72. 72.
    A chieftain wise,
  73. 73.
    Whose dreams were filled
  74. 74.
    With winter's light.
  75. 75.
     
  76. 76.
    Her name was Cirrus Wisp,
  77. 77.
    A mare of strength,
  78. 78.
    Who heard the stars
  79. 79.
    And knew their song.
  80. 80.
     
  81. 81.
    One night she saw,
  82. 82.
    In crystal clear,
  83. 83.
    The Great White Land
  84. 84.
    Beyond their reach.
  85. 85.
     
  86. 86.
    The way was hard,
  87. 87.
    The winds were fierce,
  88. 88.
    No pony crossed
  89. 89.
    Without great price.
  90. 90.
     
  91. 91.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  92. 92.
     
  93. 93.
    V
  94. 94.
    In dreams she stood
  95. 95.
    At the veil’s edge,
  96. 96.
    Where stars hung low,
  97. 97.
    And skies gleamed white.
  98. 98.
     
  99. 99.
    A shadow rose,
  100. 100.
    A force unknown,
  101. 101.
    Before her path,
  102. 102.
    It barred her way.
  103. 103.
     
  104. 104.
    "Come forth, dreamer,"
  105. 105.
     
  106. 106.
    The shadow called,
  107. 107.
     
  108. 108.
    "Beyond this veil
  109. 109.
    Lies cold and storm.
  110. 110.
     
  111. 111.
    But those who pass
  112. 112.
    Must pay the toll,
  113. 113.
    For winter takes
  114. 114.
    What warmth has made."
  115. 115.
     
  116. 116.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  117. 117.
     
  118. 118.
    VI
  119. 119.
    The chieftains met,
  120. 120.
    At dawn's first light,
  121. 121.
    With hearts of doubt,
  122. 122.
    But eyes like ice.
  123. 123.
     
  124. 124.
    The earth was warm,
  125. 125.
    Yet stirred with fear,
  126. 126.
    For something far
  127. 127.
    Had made its claim.
  128. 128.
     
  129. 129.
    Cirrus spoke out,
  130. 130.
    Of stars and snow,
  131. 131.
    Of visions cold
  132. 132.
    From northern lights.
  133. 133.
     
  134. 134.
    "The north is harsh,
  135. 135.
    Its light a call,
  136. 136.
    But every step
  137. 137.
    Will test our fate."
  138. 138.
     
  139. 139.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  140. 140.
     
  141. 141.
    VII
  142. 142.
    In distant north,
  143. 143.
    Where stars grow cold,
  144. 144.
    The Veil awoke,
  145. 145.
    Its will untold.
  146. 146.
     
  147. 147.
    It hummed and shook
  148. 148.
    With ancient might,
  149. 149.
    For snowbound lands
  150. 150.
    Demand their right.
  151. 151.
     
  152. 152.
    The Veil was thin,
  153. 153.
    A wall of light,
  154. 154.
    That shimmered bright
  155. 155.
    With frost in flight.
  156. 156.
     
  157. 157.
    No pony knew
  158. 158.
    Its full true form,
  159. 159.
    But all could feel
  160. 160.
    Its chilling call.
  161. 161.
     
  162. 162.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  163. 163.
     
  164. 164.
    VIII
  165. 165.
    The Veil called out
  166. 166.
    To those who dreamed,
  167. 167.
    Not with warm words,
  168. 168.
    Nor voice of peace.
  169. 169.
     
  170. 170.
    Its voice was wind,
  171. 171.
    Its song was wild,
  172. 172.
    And those who came
  173. 173.
    Would face its test.
  174. 174.
     
  175. 175.
    With hearts of doubt,
  176. 176.
    Yet hooves of strength,
  177. 177.
    The ponies marched
  178. 178.
    To lands afar.
  179. 179.
     
  180. 180.
    Cirrus led forth,
  181. 181.
    Her gaze like steel,
  182. 182.
    For she had seen
  183. 183.
    The northern stars.
  184. 184.
     
  185. 185.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  186. 186.
     
  187. 187.
    IX
  188. 188.
    Through forests dark,
  189. 189.
    Through rivers wide,
  190. 190.
    They ventured forth
  191. 191.
    In silent step.
  192. 192.
     
  193. 193.
    The nights grew long,
  194. 194.
    The winds blew sharp,
  195. 195.
    And frost began
  196. 196.
    To bite their coats.
  197. 197.
     
  198. 198.
    At last they came
  199. 199.
    Unto the Veil,
  200. 200.
    A wall of mist,
  201. 201.
    Of snow and light.
  202. 202.
     
  203. 203.
    But as they neared,
  204. 204.
    The winds grew fierce,
  205. 205.
    And shadows danced
  206. 206.
    In Veil's cold glow.
  207. 207.
     
  208. 208.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  209. 209.
     
  210. 210.
    X
  211. 211.
    From mists emerged
  212. 212.
    A figure dark,
  213. 213.
    With eyes of ice,
  214. 214.
    And voice of stone.
  215. 215.
     
  216. 216.
    It spoke to them
  217. 217.
    With winter's breath,
  218. 218.
    A voice that froze
  219. 219.
    Their beating hearts.
  220. 220.
     
  221. 221.
    "No hoof shall cross
  222. 222.
    This frozen veil,
  223. 223.
    For ancient laws
  224. 224.
    Its ancient claim.
  225. 225.
     
  226. 226.
    You seek the land
  227. 227.
    Where stars grow still,
  228. 228.
    But frost’s cold gifts
  229. 229.
    Must match your will."
  230. 230.
     
  231. 231.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  232. 232.
     
  233. 233.
    XI
  234. 234.
    One by one,
  235. 235.
    The ponies stood,
  236. 236.
    Their breath like frost,
  237. 237.
    Their hearts unsure.
  238. 238.
     
  239. 239.
    Cirrus stepped forth
  240. 240.
    With steady hoof,
  241. 241.
    And faced the shade
  242. 242.
    At winter's gate.
  243. 243.
     
  244. 244.
    "I seek the frost,
  245. 245.
    And know there's cost,
  246. 246.
    Yet speak your terms—
  247. 247.
    What must be lost?"
  248. 248.
     
  249. 249.
    The shadow smiled,
  250. 250.
    Its grin like ice,
  251. 251.
     
  252. 252.
    "For you, the price
  253. 253.
    Is what you were."
  254. 254.
     
  255. 255.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  256. 256.
     
  257. 257.
    XII
  258. 258.
    One by one,
  259. 259.
    They stepped through frost,
  260. 260.
    Through veil of mist,
  261. 261.
    Into the cold.
  262. 262.
     
  263. 263.
    As they crossed,
  264. 264.
    Their coats grew thick,
  265. 265.
    Their hooves turned light,
  266. 266.
    Their hearts like snow.
  267. 267.
     
  268. 268.
    The earth they knew
  269. 269.
    Was left behind,
  270. 270.
    And winter's breath
  271. 271.
    Now filled their veins.
  272. 272.
     
  273. 273.
    No longer bound
  274. 274.
    To field and stone,
  275. 275.
    They became stars,
  276. 276.
    Of frost and wind.
  277. 277.
     
  278. 278.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  279. 279.
     
  280. 280.
    XIII
  281. 281.
    Their eyes shone bright
  282. 282.
    With winter's light,
  283. 283.
    Their manes like ice,
  284. 284.
    Their hooves like frost.
  285. 285.
     
  286. 286.
    They had become
  287. 287.
    What stars foretold—
  288. 288.
    The Frostmanes now,
  289. 289.
    The cold’s own guard.
  290. 290.
     
  291. 291.
    From heart of frost,
  292. 292.
    Three gifts arose,
  293. 293.
    Bestowed on those
  294. 294.
    Who crossed the veil.
  295. 295.
     
  296. 296.
    Bound by the chill,
  297. 297.
    Their hearts were firm,
  298. 298.
    A steadfast will,
  299. 299.
    No cold could turn.
  300. 300.
     
  301. 301.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  302. 302.
     
  303. 303.
    XIV
  304. 304.
    The Sight of Stars,
  305. 305.
    So deep and wise,
  306. 306.
    Their eyes could pierce
  307. 307.
    The northern skies.
  308. 308.
     
  309. 309.
    The Silent Strength,
  310. 310.
    A heart of ice,
  311. 311.
    That never bends
  312. 312.
    Or breaks in storm.
  313. 313.
     
  314. 314.
    The Step of Snow,
  315. 315.
    So light as wind,
  316. 316.
    No storm could bind
  317. 317.
    Their hooves to ground.
  318. 318.
     
  319. 319.
    Their coats grew thick,
  320. 320.
    Their hooves grew light,
  321. 321.
    And winter’s might
  322. 322.
    Was in their bones.
  323. 323.
     
  324. 324.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  325. 325.
     
  326. 326.
    XV
  327. 327.
    Their first steps fell
  328. 328.
    On fields of frost,
  329. 329.
    Their hooves sank not,
  330. 330.
    The snow gave way.
  331. 331.
     
  332. 332.
    Light as the wind,
  333. 333.
    They moved with grace,
  334. 334.
    Unbound by storm,
  335. 335.
    At winter’s pace.
  336. 336.
     
  337. 337.
    Their coats grew long,
  338. 338.
    In colors pure,
  339. 339.
    Of browns and grays,
  340. 340.
    Of earth and stone.
  341. 341.
     
  342. 342.
    For bright and bold
  343. 343.
    Had no place here,
  344. 344.
    Where stealth in snow
  345. 345.
    Was their great shield.
  346. 346.
     
  347. 347.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  348. 348.
     
  349. 349.
    XVI
  350. 350.
    Their coats grew soft,
  351. 351.
    As if by will,
  352. 352.
    And fluff became
  353. 353.
    Their arm and might.
  354. 354.
     
  355. 355.
    With every gust,
  356. 356.
    They held the warmth,
  357. 357.
    And walked in peace
  358. 358.
    Where frost winds bite.
  359. 359.
     
  360. 360.
    But in this land
  361. 361.
    Of endless white,
  362. 362.
    The snowponies learned
  363. 363.
    To fight and thrive.
  364. 364.
     
  365. 365.
    Their hooves grew swift,
  366. 366.
    Their eyes grew sharp,
  367. 367.
    For winter's world
  368. 368.
    Was full of life.
  369. 369.
     
  370. 370.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  371. 371.
     
  372. 372.
    XVII
  373. 373.
    In forests dark,
  374. 374.
    Of ancient pine,
  375. 375.
    Their villages rose
  376. 376.
    With logs and light.
  377. 377.
     
  378. 378.
    They gathered roots,
  379. 379.
    And berries sweet,
  380. 380.
    For winter's feast
  381. 381.
    Was found in trees.
  382. 382.
     
  383. 383.
    In tundra wide,
  384. 384.
    Where winds ran wild,
  385. 385.
    They built their homes
  386. 386.
    From ice and snow.
  387. 387.
     
  388. 388.
    Their igloos gleamed
  389. 389.
    In northern lights,
  390. 390.
    A beacon bright
  391. 391.
    In endless night.
  392. 392.
     
  393. 393.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  394. 394.
     
  395. 395.
    XVIII
  396. 396.
    Upon the seas,
  397. 397.
    Where waves turned cold,
  398. 398.
    They fished the depths
  399. 399.
    With lines of frost.
  400. 400.
     
  401. 401.
    The icebound catch,
  402. 402.
    From waters deep,
  403. 403.
    Filled their hearts warm
  404. 404.
    Through long, dark nights.
  405. 405.
     
  406. 406.
    In lands once wild,
  407. 407.
    Where frost took hold,
  408. 408.
    The snowponies carved
  409. 409.
    A home from ice.
  410. 410.
     
  411. 411.
    They built with frost,
  412. 412.
    Their strength from snow,
  413. 413.
    And named it Snowpitt,
  414. 414.
    A village bright.
  415. 415.
     
  416. 416.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  417. 417.
     
  418. 418.
    XIX
  419. 419.
    The shamans spoke
  420. 420.
    To northern winds,
  421. 421.
    And called the ghosts
  422. 422.
    Of frost and snow.
  423. 423.
     
  424. 424.
    With hairs of frost,
  425. 425.
    From coats they wove
  426. 426.
    Great charms of strength
  427. 427.
    And magic deep.
  428. 428.
     
  429. 429.
    For snowponies knew
  430. 430.
    That frost held will,
  431. 431.
    And magic lived
  432. 432.
    In every flake.
  433. 433.
     
  434. 434.
    They called the ghosts
  435. 435.
    Of ancient days,
  436. 436.
    Who wandered still
  437. 437.
    Through snow and sky.
  438. 438.
     
  439. 439.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  440. 440.
     
  441. 441.
    XX
  442. 442.
    But not all ponies
  443. 443.
    Knew the gift
  444. 444.
    To walk on snow
  445. 445.
    With steps so light.
  446. 446.
     
  447. 447.
    The snowtrot was
  448. 448.
    A sacred skill,
  449. 449.
    Passed down by those
  450. 450.
    Who knew the way.
  451. 451.
     
  452. 452.
    Young fillies learned,
  453. 453.
    Through toil and test,
  454. 454.
    To place their hooves
  455. 455.
    Like feathers soft.
  456. 456.
     
  457. 457.
    The greatest ones
  458. 458.
    Could gallop swift,
  459. 459.
    Without a flake
  460. 460.
    Disturbed in flight.
  461. 461.
     
  462. 462.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  463. 463.
     
  464. 464.
    XXI
  465. 465.
    In northern nights,
  466. 466.
    Where windigos roamed,
  467. 467.
    The snowponies learned
  468. 468.
    To guard their hearts.
  469. 469.
     
  470. 470.
    For hatred brought
  471. 471.
    The winds of death,
  472. 472.
    And anger fed
  473. 473.
    The frozen beasts.
  474. 474.
     
  475. 475.
    But snowponies knew
  476. 476.
    The ancient law:
  477. 477.
    The balance held
  478. 478.
    'Tween fire and ice.
  479. 479.
     
  480. 480.
    They stoked their hearths
  481. 481.
    With careful flame,
  482. 482.
    But never let
  483. 483.
    Their hearts grow warm.
  484. 484.
     
  485. 485.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  486. 486.
     
  487. 487.
    XXII
  488. 488.
    Beyond the gate
  489. 489.
    Where cold winds hold,
  490. 490.
    Where glaciers gleamed
  491. 491.
    And shadows slept,
  492. 492.
     
  493. 493.
    There roamed great beasts
  494. 494.
    Of ice and flame,
  495. 495.
    Leviathans deep
  496. 496.
    In frozen seas.
  497. 497.
     
  498. 498.
    The snowponies fought
  499. 499.
    With frozen spears,
  500. 500.
    Enchanted blades
  501. 501.
    Of magic bright.
  502. 502.
     
  503. 503.
    Their warriors bold
  504. 504.
    Would guard the night,
  505. 505.
    To shield their homes
  506. 506.
    From winter's blight.
  507. 507.
     
  508. 508.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  509. 509.
     
  510. 510.
    XXIII
  511. 511.
    In Snowpitt bright,
  512. 512.
    Beneath the stars,
  513. 513.
    The tribes would come
  514. 514.
    From far and wide.
  515. 515.
     
  516. 516.
    Through endless night,
  517. 517.
    Where the sky grew dark,
  518. 518.
    They gathered close
  519. 519.
    In frost and flame.
  520. 520.
     
  521. 521.
    They sang the songs
  522. 522.
    Of winter’s might,
  523. 523.
    And danced below
  524. 524.
    The northern lights.
  525. 525.
     
  526. 526.
    For though they thrived
  527. 527.
    In ice and cold,
  528. 528.
    The snowponies held
  529. 529.
    Their hearts as one.
  530. 530.
     
  531. 531.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  532. 532.
     
  533. 533.
    XXIV
  534. 534.
    The snowponies rose,
  535. 535.
    With strength and peace,
  536. 536.
    Their hearts ablaze
  537. 537.
    With winter’s gift.
  538. 538.
     
  539. 539.
    They held the balance
  540. 540.
    Of snow and flame,
  541. 541.
    And walked the world
  542. 542.
    With steps of light.
  543. 543.
     
  544. 544.
    Though frost did bite,
  545. 545.
    And storms did wail,
  546. 546.
    Their hearts stayed warm
  547. 547.
    Like hearths of flame.
  548. 548.
     
  549. 549.
    For love was born
  550. 550.
    Beneath the snow,
  551. 551.
    And friendship’s bond
  552. 552.
    No cold could break.
  553. 553.
     
  554. 554.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  555. 555.
     
  556. 556.
    XXV
  557. 557.
    They gathered close
  558. 558.
    In huts of ice,
  559. 559.
    And shared the warmth
  560. 560.
    Of voice and light.
  561. 561.
     
  562. 562.
    Their laughter rang
  563. 563.
    Through winter’s night,
  564. 564.
    And in their eyes,
  565. 565.
    The stars shone bright.
  566. 566.
     
  567. 567.
    For though they’d changed,
  568. 568.
    Their hearts stayed true,
  569. 569.
    As fierce as storm
  570. 570.
    As wild as gale.
  571. 571.
     
  572. 572.
    Through endless nights,
  573. 573.
    They stood as one—
  574. 574.
    Snowponies bound
  575. 575.
    By love and trust.
  576. 576.
     
  577. 577.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  578. 578.
     
  579. 579.
    XXVI
  580. 580.
    When tempers froze,
  581. 581.
    When frost crept in,
  582. 582.
    Their warmth arose,
  583. 583.
    And melt the cold.
  584. 584.
     
  585. 585.
    For when the winds
  586. 586.
    Were fiercest blown,
  587. 587.
    They never gave
  588. 588.
    A cold shoulder.
  589. 589.
     
  590. 590.
    They laughed aloud
  591. 591.
    In frost-kissed air,
  592. 592.
    While snowflakes danced,
  593. 593.
    In winter's wonder.
  594. 594.
     
  595. 595.
    Each one a vow
  596. 596.
    Softly laid,
  597. 597.
    As gentle as
  598. 598.
    The frost that flakes.
  599. 599.
     
  600. 600.
    ❅ ❆ ❅
  601. 601.
     
  602. 602.
    XXVII
  603. 603.
    In every flake
  604. 604.
    Of snow that fell,
  605. 605.
    A quiet grace
  606. 606.
    Of wonder bloomed.
  607. 607.
     
  608. 608.
    For even when
  609. 609.
    The world grew dark,
  610. 610.
    Their love remained
  611. 611.
    A winter’s glow.
  612. 612.
     
  613. 613.
    Through winters long,
  614. 614.
    Through endless storms,
  615. 615.
    Their bond endured,
  616. 616.
    Forever warm.
  617. 617.
     
  618. 618.
    And in the heart
  619. 619.
    Of snow so deep,
  620. 620.
    Their love would hold
  621. 621.
    And never sleep.

Birth of Winter

by Glane