Beautiful Winter

I remember the snows of my childhood Bringing beauty beyond compare And also how hard it was to breathe in Mouthfuls of that cold frigid air. Galoshes and scarves and long johns to don Before Mom let us out to play. Too bundled to move and chilled to the bone, Ten minutes a very long stay. There were times Dad had to dig tunnels To get from the house to the barn, And then perhaps shovel another Before he could make his return. For three months or more we were housebound. We longed for the long summer days. With spring came the mud and the puddles. Goodbye to the sleds and the sleighs. So whenever I'm feeling nostalgic For those beautiful snowfields of old, I take a deep breath and remember I really don't like to be cold.