Iron Murmurs, Snow Does Sigh

By Seth Seong

I built a cabin out there
out of cedar, for frosty mornings
something warm for when it was hard to breathe
something filled with coffee smell
with cedar paneling and picture frames
with branches drying in the eaves
dry and quiet and lined and bright
with books and paint and soft coal light

when I awoke there was no sound
no birds digging in the frosted ground
and my breath became my mist companion
but in the dawn I knew I saw
the distant mountain’s roaring call,
and the sun did rise to befriend me
the warmth of alleluia

“Iron Murmurs, Snow Does Sigh” is the second work by emerging Seattle author, Seth Seong. It is a thirty poem chapbook about the coldest nights in winter, and how they turn into comforting dawn. Beginning with the theme of twilight, progressing into midnight, and then moving into the sunrise, it travels through emotions of disquiet, disillusionment, despair, and then the transformative development of hope, determination, and virtue. Also exploring themes of power and control, Seth Seong explores the temptations common to men, while exploring the unfulfilling modernist hedonist persona in art and high society.

For more, visit Seth Seong's Instagram @sseong.poetry

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seth Seong
• Release date: May 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463701928

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I once walked through a storm, having to lean into the wind to keep from being blown back. The rain was nearly horizontal, and the force of nature was tearing whole branches from trees and turning leaves into projectiles. It was exhilarating. I thrived in that.

One of the difficult things about writing is the moment in time where the definite career choice is made. Does one try to work a full time job, and at the same time spend the rest of their moments working on their craft? Or does one quit their job, become extremely frugal, and then put their all into writing? It's a choice I've wrestled with for a long time.

There will be a point in the near future (as of the writing of this introduction) where I take the leap. Into the Storm.

Wish me luck. And please enjoy the poetry.

S. Seong

Thank you to Katarina