Winter Time

Discover the beauty, challenges, and wonder of winter through poetic charm.

Thick blows my frosty breath abroad.

Short Poems & Quotes | Poems | Poems About The Seasons | Winter Poems | Winter Time

Updated December 21, 2024, by Catherine Pulsifer

Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem Winter Time takes us on a journey through the icy days of winter, painting a picture of frosted landscapes and chilly mornings. With his vivid imagery and heartfelt expressions, Stevenson reminds us that even in the coldest season, there is beauty, warmth, and wonder to be found.

Whether it’s the glow of a jolly fire or the sparkle of snow-covered hills, this poem invites us to embrace winter with a sense of appreciation and joy.

Winter Time

Poet: Robert Louis Stevenson

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
It's frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.

Key Points from this poem:

Winter’s Unique Beauty
Stevenson brings winter to life with vivid descriptions like the "blood-red orange" sun and the frosted trees and hills. It’s a reminder to find the beauty in every season, even in the coldest times.

Balancing Challenges with Comfort
The poem reflects the challenges of winter mornings—shivering, dressing by candlelight, and facing biting winds. Yet, it also shows the comfort of sitting by the fire and the fun of exploring snowy surroundings. Life often brings its share of struggles, but there’s always a way to find warmth and joy.

A Sense of Wonder
Through a child’s eyes, Stevenson highlights the magic of winter. The frosty air, silver paths, and snowy adventures remind us to look at life with wonder, appreciating the small joys that each day brings.

More Winter Poems To Inspire

Related:

Winter Quotes - Find quotes that celebrate winter’s beauty and remind us of its charm, perfectly complementing the themes of Winter Time.

Funny Winter Poems - Enjoy a good laugh with humorous poems about winter, offering a lighter take on the season alongside Winter Time.

Poems About Snowmen - Celebrate the fun and magic of winter with poems about snowmen, a delightful addition to the reflections in Winter Time.

Poems About Joy - Explore poems that bring out the joy in life, adding a cheerful perspective to the wintery imagery of Winter Time.

Winter Poems For Kids - Share the magic of winter with children through poems that capture the season’s wonder, much like Winter Time.

Appreciation Poems - Reflect on poems of gratitude and appreciation, tying in with the heartfelt and reflective tone of Winter Time.

In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light. In summer quite the other way I have to go to bed by day. Robert Louis Stevenson