Winter’s Paean
written by: Linda Marie Hilton
Eighty layers of clothes against my shivering skin
Bundle up! Bundle up! Winter is set to begin.
Dropping temps! Frosted lawns! Leaves dying brown swirling down.
Hoar crystals: nature’s gown: trees will have nights on the town!
Fleecy tights! Wooly socks! Nylon thermals our lowest suits!
Used jerseys, old sweaters: torso covers cause cold moots.
Two pairs socks, coats from hock, time to lose those old reeboks.
Panda look by the book: layers to say: cold we mock!
Christmas comes, Christmas goes, ring in a Happy New Year,
Now accustomed to yearly device: cold weather gear.
Snowy days, shivery nights, earth’s icing: white delight.
White tinged with grey: aging snowfall reflecting sunlight.
At last days growing longer, still we shiver with cold,
On the slopes of tall mountains skiers svedling bold.
Longer days stretch to our shortest month but coldest yet,
February’s bright brittle sun: warmth remains a debt.
Tunnels of snow, frozen water pipes, we count cold days,
Valentine’s valiantly vouch for love to come our way,
That from the icy depths of winter will spring new life.
So March roars in until warm days equal cold nights,
Snow cover melts, droplets moisten long dormant rich soil,
Then snowdrops emerge, sleepyheads, without too much moil.
All flora on earth has had a good rest
Hibernation techniques have been put to the test.
- Winter’s Paean - February 24, 2025
- Beware The Moon - October 23, 2024
- Comfort and Joy will Tide us Over - December 22, 2023
