After an ice storm, the speaker watches a beloved figure walk beneath trees coated in ice. The branches sway and crackle, flashing in the low winter sun with colors like blue, mauve, emerald, amber, jade, and silver. The scene is brilliant but fragile, and the snow creaks underfoot while dogs bound around and bark sharply in the cold air. The speaker’s attention, though, stays fixed on the person walking. That person outshines the glittering trees and ice flowers; even the loud barking fades next to the person’s quiet presence. The mood is one of hushed admiration and intimate wonder—nature is beautiful, but the beloved feels more radiant. Ending with the plain detail “At ten o’clock in the morning” makes the moment feel real and specific, as if ordinary time briefly becomes luminous.
After a Storm — Summary
You walk under the ice trees. They sway, and crackle. And arch themselves splendidly To deck your going. The white sun flips them into colour Before you. They are blue. And mauve. And emerald. They are amber. And jade. And sardonyx. They are silver fretted to flame And startled to stillness. Bunched, splintered, iridescent.
You walk under the ice trees And the bright snow creaks as you step upon it. My dogs leap about you. And their barking strikes upon the air Like sharp hammer-strokes on metal.
You walk under the ice trees But you are more dazzling than the ice flowers, And the dogs' barking Is not so loud to me as your quietness.
You walk under the ice trees At ten o'clock in the morning.