It starts in the evening.
Graining our reflections
it arrives absent
chrysanthemums of joy.
Instead,
a snake of memory poisons us.
Waist-high paths mapped
with deer prints,
ewe trees gnawed to stub.
Standing tiptoe over
a bowling alley driveway.
Piles, carted by dump trucks
that lingered to May,
late spring birthing
sludge and oil
where dirty white
used to be.
No.
First snow this year
coats us in trepidation.
We wake to four inches.
At dawn, the window panes
and tree trunks,
hold on to the grey-light,
the ground over-exposed.
Black and white picture
developing into day.
14 comments:
Nothing like the first snow.
We don't get a lot here, so we don't have to endure the piles of dirty snow later on.
Hi Liza - piles of snow are so pretty - then shortly afterwards a right pain ... but we had a sprinkling at the weekend ... gone by the next day ... cheers to your snowy weather - Hilary
After the winter you had last year, a few inches doesn't sound too bad. But you have to be a little sensitive after last year and those piles that lasted until July.
I like the first snow, but I realize your trepidation is the knowledge of more and more and more coming. At least this year is (fingers crossed) not even close to last year for your folks. I like the 'bowling alley driveway". Excellent picture painted
Beautiful.
I will not soon forget when I saw my first snow. (In Connecticut) I was amazed that it made noise as it fell. Occasionally we get a dusting here, it never lasts for more than a day or two, which is fine with me. It always looks so pretty.
However, back in 1985 we had 13 inches!
I've never experienced a first snow, but after reading this poem I feel like I have. Well done! :)
I like the first snow of the season, and the occasional snow storm (as long my power stays on), but after last winter I'm perfectly okay with no snow.
I miss the first snows...and do not miss the dirty, rock hard piles that linger until spring!
We have only had a few inches of snow so far this year. After the piles that we had last year, I feel trepidation too. Wonderful poem!
Ooh, great poem.
Yes, I have mixed feelings about the first snowfall. It's a love hate. Love how it begins and how it first looks...then worry when it comes back week after week and spring gets pushed back further and further. LOL
I guess all it takes is one really bad snow season to change the experience. You stated this rather beautifully (as always).
Oh wow. Your imagery is epic. The bowling alley driveaway, super evocative.
Lovely poem. You really captured that feeling of freshness with the new snow, don't like the slush though.
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