Terry Flood Poet Rhyme

A Very British Blizzard

They said we’d have snow and, by God, they were right
I’m told that it came down just after midnight
But systems in place and procedures pre-planned 
Meant our society could make a stand

They’ve closed all the schools and they’ve cancelled the trains
They’ve banned all the buses from tight country lanes
And all the armed forces are still on standby
While shops have toboggans piled up to the sky

Motorbike riders keep feet near the ground
For fear that black ice they can’t see spins them round
The soup kitchens sprang into life at great speed
So hungry and half frozen people can feed

The snowploughs have been out on duty all night 
People took comfort at that very sight
And some will take refuge in local church halls
So we’ll be prepared when that second flake falls

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Tom Cunningham November 27, 2024 at 10:52 PM We're such drama queens, health and safety have a field day. The only time we've had real snow was in '63. It came over the top of my wellies, I was 7. But everyone just got on with it, I have to laugh when I go to Aldi and they've always got snow goggles or something to do with skiing. Tom Terry Flood December 1, 2024 at 11:56 AM Not for much longer, Tom. They’ll be stacking up the Easter eggs before we know it.

Sam Kauffman November 26, 2024 at 12:08 PM This is so great, Terry! "That second flake falls!" What a wonderful ending. You pulled me into your poetic narrative then left me holding my sides laughing! Well done. I can relate! When the first flake fell in the Pacific Northwest, everyone packed up their car and headed home early as schools and businesses closed and we looked forward to an evening of sledding and a pot of warm chili! LOVE THIS! Thank you for the laughter, memories and joy! A Fav! Cheers for snow shovels and blessings! Terry Flood November 26, 2024 at 3:38 PM Hey, Sam. Okay, I confess; we got a thin covering of snow this time. My drive is very long and sloping. If we ever get enough snow it would be a great toboggan run… except for a fairly sharp bend near the bottom, which, if missed, would acquaint one with a wire mesh fence ;-)

Karen Jones November 26, 2024 at 3:13 AM lol! A fun poem that captures the mood there I take it. They panic in North Carolina/ USA too but not so much in the North like New York. Enjoyed reading! Terry Flood November 26, 2024 at 3:34 PM I honestly thought it was a British thing. Seems we’re all terrified that the shops will have no bread on the shelves.

Jan Allison November 25, 2024 at 1:25 PM dont paniccccc dont panicccc , gee the sign of one flake and there are more human snowflakes than natural ones. we had hail, bad wind ( tis the sprouts season though) ferries cancelled and planes cos of the storm but gee it was 1 day. that said many places were flooded i saw especially in Ireland - we got off lightly with the impending 'blizzard; hugs jan xx Terry Flood November 26, 2024 at 3:30 PM All those floods look awful… something to really worry about. The snow we had down here barely covered the ground, and still the schools were closed.

Anne E Sangster - K November 25, 2024 at 6:29 AM Hi Terry, Let me guess... 1cm of snow caused all this? Had a good chuckle at your second and last stanzas. I have family who live in the UK and know all about what happens when a light dusting of snow falls there. Lol... I tell them come live in Canada ;-) I enjoyed reading your British Blizzard humour this morning Terry Flood November 26, 2024 at 3:24 PM 1cm came pretty damned close, Anne. Thing is, it takes far less than that for the panic to set in. Glad you enjoyed. Terry

Daniel Henry Rodgers November 23, 2024 at 12:21 PM Dear Terry, I think you brilliantly captured the chaos and camaraderie that a snowstorm brings. I love how you blend humor creating a sense of community amidst the storm. A delightful piece! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel Terry Flood November 24, 2024 at 3:46 PM Thanks, Daniel. Britain is hopeless with weather ‘events’. You only have to say ‘snow’ and we come to a standstill ;-)

Ilene Bauer November 23, 2024 at 11:26 AM Ha! Sounds just like what happens here, Terry! Loved your build-up to the perfect ending… Terry Flood November 24, 2024 at 3:50 PM Thanks, Ilene. We had a few millimetres of snow, which by day two was slush. I bet they were queuing around the block for bread and milk ;-)

Gary Radice November 23, 2024 at 3:05 AM LOL! Love your last line. It seems life stops when it snows today. Snow..that stuff that’s been falling on humans in this country for over 780,000 years. Cheers - Gary Terry Flood November 24, 2024 at 3:53 PM You’re about right, Gary. I wonder what the railways would do if we had leaves on the track AND the wrong kind of snow!

Kim Rodrigues November 22, 2024 at 3:48 PM Love this! Terry Flood November 22, 2024 at 3:54 PM Thanks, Kim. Actually we’ve just had at least a centimetre of snow… but we battled through it and waddya know… we survived the ordeal. We British are such bulldogs. Come on Putin… do your worst ;-) Ha ha… I have no idea how we’d cope if we got proper snow, say, Canada style!