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When I want to slow down intentionally, I turn to my favorite winter poems. I read them slowly, immersing myself in every word trying to imagine the poet’s world and emotions when they were writing. I imagine their hands holding the quill while pouring their words onto the paper, oblivious to the legacy they’re creating.
In winter, especially on cold days at home, poetry and I share the same sentiments: a longing for better times and an appreciation for the present moment.
Words That Light a Fire
It’s no wonder words have been my faithful friends when my real-life friends abandoned me. I have found more comfort, strength, and hope in a single page of a book than in years of superficial friendships.
I have also found that one of the greatest gifts in this lifetime is finding people who truly accept you for who you are on a cellular level. People who see you. Who laugh and cry with you. Praise you when you’re not with them and love you honestly, even when you’re cracked open from pain.
It is with these people that poetry gets a new meaning for me. What was once a solitary activity reserved for my private time is now a joyous, extraordinary, vibrant gathering of talented souls who appreciate the power of the written word.
And for this rare blessing, I am grateful.
Now, onto the poems.
Winter Poems To Keep You Warm
Here are some of my favorite winter poems I love to read on cold winter nights or quiet Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee.
1. In the Bleak Midwinter (A Christmas Carol) by Christina Rossetti
This was one of the first poems I fell in love with back when I studied poetry at University. Christina’s words were just so picturesque I could almost imagine myself in a quiet winter landscape, “snow had fallen, snow on snow”, thinking about the perfect beauty God has created.
Read the poem online: The Poetry Foundation
Buy the paperback: Christina Rossetti Books
2. Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
When I read this poem, I feel like Robert Frost wanted to rediscover the joy of the simple things in life. Sometimes, it only takes a little change of scenery or focusing on something trivial to shift your mood. And this is exactly what this poem does, at least for me.
Read the poem online: The Poetry Foundation
Buy the paperback: Robert Frost Books
3. There’s a certain Slant of light (320) by Emily Dickinson
Being one of Emily Dickinson’s biggest fans, I couldn’t not include this poem in this winter poetry collection. A master of her craft, she describes with stunning precision the feeling of despair that can bestow upon us when it’s cold, dark, and dreary outside. This is why ‘a certain slant of light’ on winter afternoons feels both hopeful and hopeless.
Read the poem online: The Poetry Foundation
Buy the paperback: Emily Dickinson Books
4. Woods in Winter by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In most winter poems I’ve read, the themes of loneliness, despair, darkness, and waiting for spring are weaving through; and this poem is no exception.
I can understand why: winter is not a time for deep rest or enjoyment for everyone. We still have to wake up early, go to work, spend the day inside, and by the time we’re done, it’s already dark outside.
Read the poem online: HWL by the Maine Historical Society
Buy the paperback: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Books
5. Winter-Time by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is such a jolly poem about winter but at the same time, it paints the most accurate picture of cold winter mornings when all you want to do is stay in bed, covered with a pile of blankets! I love how the poem describes exactly what a dreary winter morning looks like, from the moment you wake up up until you get out the door and see the entire landscape frozen as you are met with the cold wind on your face.
Read the poem online: The Scottish Poetry Library
Buy the paperback: Robert Louis Stevenson Books
How to Read Winter Poems
Reading poetry is a unique experience for me. It’s always a beautiful ritual where I try to grasp how the poet felt when they wrote the poem, where they were, what they dreamed of, and what pains they endured.
Of course, I could just open a poetry book or a poetry website and simply read. This is perfect for busy days when I need an infusion of creativity.
Most of the time, though, I love to read as I take a bubble bath or when I’m tucked in bed for the night. I make a cup of my favorite lavender tea, make a list of poems, and settle in.
If you’d like to try out my winter poetry reading routine, here’s what it usually involves:
- A scented candle
- A heated blanket or weighted blanket
- A poetry collection – A Poem for Every Winter Day by Allie Esiri is a great read to get you started)
- A dedicated notebook for taking notes
- A cup of calming tea
- My favorite cozy socks
I play soothing music on my phone (you can find some beautiful songs for reading poetry in my Autumn and Winter Playlists).
And that’s it! I usually plan my poetry reading time in advance so I can relax after finishing my work for the day.
Soft and Slow: A Winter of Poetry and Creativity
I’ve been a poet since I was six years old. Many times since then I’ve wondered — what is the purpose of poetry? What can it do for you? What does it do for me? Is it useful in any way?
But like all forms of art in this surface-level world, poetry offers a respite from all the bleakness, stress, and disappointment. This is why I write it and this is why I read it.
Do you read poetry? Do you have a favorite poet or poem that’s made a difference in your life? I’d love to hear all about your literary loves so please, reach out, write me an email and share them with me!
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