CABIN FEVER
A Poem by Vol
Snow
lashes
my eyes; the gnarled grasp of
one
degree Fahrenheit squeezes
my fingers
While
I run out to feed the birds.
Cardinals,
Towhees, Chickadees, and Nuthatch
Locked
outside the window I’m locked behind,
Scratching
my belly,
Yawning.
I
take a sip of coffee
and
watch the little wars they fight
in
the corners of the feeder. Outside, all
seems still and quiet, but everywhere I look
is
movement, a flicker of wing, snow clumps
drop
from pine needles, a squirrel scrambles for
hickory
nuts and acorns.
I’m
afraid to fire up the
television’s hot
debates about cruelty and politics.
I
need to read A Comedy of Errors
for
the school play, irony
enough to disturb
his
curse`d bones. Do coffins have an echo?
Here in the bay window the
flakes of white are fat and juicy, fall faster than this morning.
I
wonder
when the roads may clear, and
class
resume?
Not
for days, I’m guessing, so maybe
I’ll
clear out that room where we’ve
created
a
chaotic space
of stuff we
haven’t found
a
place for. Makes
me wonder if God doesn’t
have
a planet far, far away from this one where
the
people he built are worse than us, a red faced
embarrassment to all who see?
Not
that it matters, I’m ashamed right here in my soft clothes that I am not a better man
than I am, and why the dagger of time has an ivory handle? My blood does a slow-motion drip between my fingers here at the end of things.
Maybe
if I just stand still and let this blanket muffle
my
head in the silence while these polka dots float to the ground in this corner of my reverie, no one will notice.
© 2025 Vol
Featured Review
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One degree Fahrenheit! Absolute luxury! 😀
Sorry about that, I came over all Monty python for some reason!
I saw a bird in the garden on Sunday that couldn't believe it was the only one out for a feed. After doing about 12 double takes, it looked like it smiled and whooped at all the breakfast it would feast upon and then strutted around like it owned the place, nonchalantly taking its time over breakfast.
It was pretty comical because it was teeny and had probably been bullied all its life, but I guess we all have our moments that make us feel like kings.
Strangely it hasn't snowed here yet, but those weatherologists on TV keep threatening its on its way, like there wasn't enough damage done by the recent storm Amy and they had to threaten us again. I've decided to just turn the TV channel until I find one with a less apocalyptic weather report and stick with that one!
Just be glad you have a spare room for all that stuff that hasn't found a place, because I hear Amazon are working on delivering stuff we don't need before we even order it.
And it doesn't really matter if you stand still, because they can see your moustache twitch from space these days.
Now I must go order that thing I don't even know the name of. You know, the thing that does that thing with the big sharp thing.
Alexander! What the hell am I talking about? 😀
Posted 3 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
This comment has been deleted by the poster.
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3 Months Ago
Ooh! That last bit was meant to say Alexa, not Alexander. Damn predunctive toast... I mean predict.. read moreOoh! That last bit was meant to say Alexa, not Alexander. Damn predunctive toast... I mean predictive text!
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2 Months Ago
Lorry,
WE all have our crosses to bear, though north Scotland, with the arctic circle looms j.. read moreLorry,
WE all have our crosses to bear, though north Scotland, with the arctic circle looms just up from there... (it has been so long since I wrote the word "loom," it just looks stupid laying there on the screen. as though it had a definition all its own, I'm thinking it would look better with a "b" on the end) Anyway I bet winter where you are looms, lombs, lewmbs, whatever,.. from mid-spring to late summer. I hate the cold... makes my fingers hurt, and when I'm stuck inside all I do is look through the window at all the things I plan to fix when it warms back up, but won't.
I have a box of those thingies you talk about, I made the mistake of letting my mustache twitch at the same time I was admiring my reflection on the screen... I won't know important they are or what they're for until the day after I drop them off at the dump...
Vol
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2 Months Ago
Looms looks fine as long as it's prefixed by darkness and not ball-freezing despair! 😀
It .. read moreLooms looks fine as long as it's prefixed by darkness and not ball-freezing despair! 😀
It would probably look okay prefixed with Amazonian warrior queens on sex rampage too! 😀
It's my toes, feet and knees that suffer the most in cold. It's probably arthritis but could be to do with holding up the weight of me and my fourteen layers of clothing! 😀
Maybe thats why I've never liked Christmas... we should move it to summer, because a rainy Christmas would be almost pleasant in comparison.
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Reviews
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You did a really good job at describing that feeling of ignoring your worries for a moment and just watching nature happen outside your window. Truly a universal experience that you encapsulated quite nicely. It was such a pleasant read. Nice work :)
Posted 2 Months Ago
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Christ, what I wouldn’t do for a snow day - they don’t close the schools for s**t up here, Vol. As long as the busses run the doors stay open, and I swear northern school-busses may well have been built to storm the Rhine.
You have my supreme envy - I’ll be fantasizing about bathrobes, bird feeders and morning espresso until Christmas closes in.
Well written here, and I’m sure the peace and quiet is well earned. Best to you.
Posted 2 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
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2 Months Ago
Ookpik,
Not to worry my man... That poem is twenty years old... I HATE the cold.
Vol
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2 Months Ago
Hey, to each their own, won’t try to convert you - not partial to heat, myself, though retirementâ.. read moreHey, to each their own, won’t try to convert you - not partial to heat, myself, though retirement’s getting more appealing.
Cheers.
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This poem brought to mind the winters I spent in northern IL. Sometimes, I felt like my blood had turned to slush and one day I would just fade into the gray landscape all around me. If there is one thing I like about living in Alabama it is that our landscape fights the changing seasons with everything it's got! Sometimes, too much thinking is a bad thing, my friend. If you can't be a bird, be the squirrel at the bird feeder, disrupting the status quo!
Posted 2 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
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2 Months Ago
Zoe,
What happened? I wrote a long and thoughtful response yesterday... ? The day I left Wisc.. read moreZoe,
What happened? I wrote a long and thoughtful response yesterday... ? The day I left Wisconsin on January 18, 1970, it was 20 below, wind chill, 68 below...What the hell do those people do they couldn't do in a warmer place?
Vol
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2 Months Ago
Oh, amen! We may have the summer from hell, with all the humidity, but at least we can get out and d.. read moreOh, amen! We may have the summer from hell, with all the humidity, but at least we can get out and do things most of the year, instead of hibernating in our caves!
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God I hope there’s no planet with people worse than us! Although you did trigger an old memory that just surfaced. I believe Paramahansa Yogananda in Autobiography of a Yogi, in describing the realm most of us are born into when we leave here, said there is a corner of the Universes where people like Hitler and other psychopaths are kept isolated. It’s been a very long time since I read the book, not sure that memory is 100% accurate.
Hi Vol, is this a nostalgia piece for when you were still teaching? I can’t imagine you are getting snow right now in your corner of Texas. I loved your description of the snow, the birds, clumps dropping from the pines. It is certainly an interesting poem, more what is inside your head than outside the window.
Posted 3 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
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2 Months Ago
Michael,
Thanks... sounds like you are mental seeker... have you read C.S. Lewis' "Perelandra.. read moreMichael,
Thanks... sounds like you are mental seeker... have you read C.S. Lewis' "Perelandra Trilogy? treats the same subject of spiritual existence in a physical world. Yes I was still teaching... I was ALWAYS teaching...
Vol
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Sip of coffee, the little wars they fight. I like this imagery. Very relatable and pleasant. Pushing us to stop and contemplate our lives. Appreciate where we are and cut out the trite
Posted 3 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
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3 Months Ago
Brad,
I'm not much of a fan when it comes to stream-0f-conscious writing, but sometimes it ha.. read moreBrad,
I'm not much of a fan when it comes to stream-0f-conscious writing, but sometimes it happens anyway... this was an old poem I ran across and edited until it was a different thine all together...
Vol
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3 Months Ago
Well done. Interesting for sure
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One degree Fahrenheit! Absolute luxury! 😀
Sorry about that, I came over all Monty python for some reason!
I saw a bird in the garden on Sunday that couldn't believe it was the only one out for a feed. After doing about 12 double takes, it looked like it smiled and whooped at all the breakfast it would feast upon and then strutted around like it owned the place, nonchalantly taking its time over breakfast.
It was pretty comical because it was teeny and had probably been bullied all its life, but I guess we all have our moments that make us feel like kings.
Strangely it hasn't snowed here yet, but those weatherologists on TV keep threatening its on its way, like there wasn't enough damage done by the recent storm Amy and they had to threaten us again. I've decided to just turn the TV channel until I find one with a less apocalyptic weather report and stick with that one!
Just be glad you have a spare room for all that stuff that hasn't found a place, because I hear Amazon are working on delivering stuff we don't need before we even order it.
And it doesn't really matter if you stand still, because they can see your moustache twitch from space these days.
Now I must go order that thing I don't even know the name of. You know, the thing that does that thing with the big sharp thing.
Alexander! What the hell am I talking about? 😀
Posted 3 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
This comment has been deleted by the poster.
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3 Months Ago
Ooh! That last bit was meant to say Alexa, not Alexander. Damn predunctive toast... I mean predict.. read moreOoh! That last bit was meant to say Alexa, not Alexander. Damn predunctive toast... I mean predictive text!
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2 Months Ago
Lorry,
WE all have our crosses to bear, though north Scotland, with the arctic circle looms j.. read moreLorry,
WE all have our crosses to bear, though north Scotland, with the arctic circle looms just up from there... (it has been so long since I wrote the word "loom," it just looks stupid laying there on the screen. as though it had a definition all its own, I'm thinking it would look better with a "b" on the end) Anyway I bet winter where you are looms, lombs, lewmbs, whatever,.. from mid-spring to late summer. I hate the cold... makes my fingers hurt, and when I'm stuck inside all I do is look through the window at all the things I plan to fix when it warms back up, but won't.
I have a box of those thingies you talk about, I made the mistake of letting my mustache twitch at the same time I was admiring my reflection on the screen... I won't know important they are or what they're for until the day after I drop them off at the dump...
Vol
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2 Months Ago
Looms looks fine as long as it's prefixed by darkness and not ball-freezing despair! 😀
It .. read moreLooms looks fine as long as it's prefixed by darkness and not ball-freezing despair! 😀
It would probably look okay prefixed with Amazonian warrior queens on sex rampage too! 😀
It's my toes, feet and knees that suffer the most in cold. It's probably arthritis but could be to do with holding up the weight of me and my fourteen layers of clothing! 😀
Maybe thats why I've never liked Christmas... we should move it to summer, because a rainy Christmas would be almost pleasant in comparison.
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Best not treat yourself with such words as your final phrase - you deserve far better. That said, there are times when we all feel we were made of better 'stuff.' Destiny lacks so much when thoughts like that rise to the surface.
Posted 3 Months Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
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2 Months Ago
Aren't we happiest when we are fully ourselves? And when we are able to relax, let the water flow sm.. read moreAren't we happiest when we are fully ourselves? And when we are able to relax, let the water flow smooth and easy under the bridge... The water never pays us any mind...
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This comment has been deleted by the poster.
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2 Months Ago
Yes, sir, when the water flows smoothily and easily under a bridge, all's well and beautiful. We .. read moreYes, sir, when the water flows smoothily and easily under a bridge, all's well and beautiful. We have clay streams and shallow here. They are clearer than Summer stars years away; yet gleam as if newly born - as the all about should be.
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2 Months Ago
As we should be...
I've watched a couple of Dorset videos of late and seen someone trying to .. read moreAs we should be...
I've watched a couple of Dorset videos of late and seen someone trying to dig some of that clay... Pottery is something I've always wanted to throw...
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2 Months Ago
It's great fun, takes a short while to get things right.. had hysterics when two friends and I went .. read moreIt's great fun, takes a short while to get things right.. had hysterics when two friends and I went to evening school to learn how to do it. Have throw the clay, wet enough onto the wheel then go for it.. sometimes won't stay still, other times spins off it if feet are going too mad, etcetera!
You should try it.. is fine and if ever successful, however not quite right, is something so wonderful to do.
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Stats
135 Views
7 Reviews
Added on October 7, 2025
Last Updated on October 22, 2025
Author
Vol Gouge Eye, TX
About
My name is Vol Lindsey. I live in Gouge Eye, Texas, a tiny ghost town on Rt. 66.
I am a retired creative writing, English literature teacher. I have been writing poetry and reading publicly since 196.. more..
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