My spruce tree shivers from a winter’s blast
heavy branches drooping under fallen snow.
The air so cold, seems still and quiet, a serene like setting on a frosty night.
I snuggle down under the comfort of quilts, and feel the warmth of restful sleep.
I wake to the sun, warm and bright that pushes through my window with light.
The morning wears on and temperatures begin a slow climb from the subzero degrees,
and the arctic blast of air dissipates and leaves.
I shed a layer of fleece and insulated outer wear,
sweats and heavy jackets, and opt for short-sleeved tees.
Where else but here are there such shifting weather scenes,
where temperatures fall to record lows, and snow is measured in the feet
then hours or days after we slosh through winter’s thaw,
and it feels almost balmy, like a warm spring day.
We wish away the season, and hope it’s really gone,
but know it’s wishful thinking for it soon returns like dawn.
It seems a predictable pattern, so we never put away
snow shovel, gear or blower
stored beside the garden rake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joyce E. Johnson © 2017
Footnote: Our temperature in Loveland, Colorado, Friday, (1-6-2017) registered at -17 below 0 degrees at 8:00 a.m. Today, it registered a high of 50 degrees above 0 at 2:00 p.m.. That is typical for our area here in Colorado. 🙂
Reflections 