On a bright winter day, the speaker and a companion walk through snow, their shadows blue on the path, while skaters glide across a frozen lake. Everything feels charged with ecstasy—the earth drinking sunlight, the skaters drinking speed, and the two walkers drinking love. The speaker pauses to wonder whether their happiness has already reached its peak, but then the companion points to a bluejay perched on a snow-flecked maple branch. The bird seems fearless and bright, just like their love, and its sudden appearance lifts the moment even higher. The poem ends with a sense of wonder: joy and beauty have no fixed limits, and they can keep expanding when we least expect it.
A Winter Bluejay — Summary
Crisply the bright snow whispered, Crunching beneath our feet; Behind us as we walked along the parkway, Our shadows danced, Fantastic shapes in vivid blue. Across the lake the skaters Flew to and fro, With sharp turns weaving A frail invisible net. In ecstasy the earth Drank the silver sunlight; In ecstasy the skaters Drank the wine of speed; In ecstasy we laughed Drinking the wine of love. Had not the music of our joy Sounded its highest note? But no, For suddenly, with lifted eyes you said, "Oh look!" There, on the black bough of a snow flecked maple, Fearless and gay as our love, A bluejay cocked his crest! Oh who can tell the range of joy Or set the bounds of beauty?