A Winter Night’s Enchantment

Beneath a Van Gogh sky ablaze, With stars that dance and moonlight’s grace, Missoula sleeps, a winter’s dream, But restless souls on snowbanks gleam.

Down slopes they streak, in vibrant flight, A rainbow’s crash on snowy light, Across the frosted canvas laid, A symphony of curves displayed.

Each curving line, a brushstroke bold, Their laughter echoing, tales untold, As pine trees stand, like watchful guards, Their secrets whisper in the wards.

A twisty shape, a gnarled embrace, Reflects the moon’s ethereal face, A Van Gogh echo, whispered here, In strokes of paint, and shadows near.

The cozy lodge, a beacon bright, Calls weary bones to firelight, Where stories bloom and laughter thrives, Beneath the moonlit, cosmic drives.

So glide they on, through painted night, A fusion spun of joy and might, Where sports and art in beauty meet, In Missoula’s starlit winter seat.

Winter in Missoula:

• Visit Missoula: https://destinationmissoula.org/ – This official website for Missoula tourism provides information on winter activities, events, and attractions.
• Missoula Winter Festival: https://www.pawsup.com/events/winterfest – This annual festival celebrates winter in Missoula with live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
• Snowsports in Missoula: https://www.missouladowntown.com/ – This website lists ski resorts and other snowsport options near Missoula.

Art and Van Gogh:

• The Missoula Art Museum: https://missoulaartmuseum.org/ – This museum houses a collection of regional and national art, including works inspired by nature and winter.
• Van Gogh Alive: https://www.immersivevangogh.com/ – This traveling exhibit brings Van Gogh’s paintings to life through immersive projections and music.
• The Starry Night: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802 – The Museum of Modern Art’s website provides information and resources on Van Gogh’s iconic painting, The Starry Night.

Additional Resources:

• Missoula Poetry Series: https://www.art.mt.gov/pol – This series features readings by local and regional poets.
• The Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/ – This website provides resources on poetry, including articles, poems, and biographies of poets.
• Writer’s Digest: https://www.writersdigest.com/ – This website offers resources and advice for writers, including poets.

On This Day in History:

• 2024: A Winter Night’s Enchantment: https://williammartin.com/2024/01/18/a-winter-nights-enchantment/
• 2023: j18: https://williammartin.com/2023/01/18/p18/
• 2017: Twin Lakes Visit 6.0: https://williammartin.com/2017/01/18/twin-lakes-visit-6-0/
• 2012: Overwhelmed: https://williammartin.com/2012/01/18/overwhelmed/
• 2011: Mule Ball 2011: https://williammartin.com/2011/01/18/mule-ball-2011/
• 2008: Some More Snow: https://williammartin.com/2008/01/18/some-more-snow/
• 2005: Bank Account Finally Released: https://williammartin.com/2005/01/18/bank-account-finally-released/
• 2002: School: https://williammartin.com/2002/01/18/school/