Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Poet Free verse

Of Snow and Ice

Fifty-two words in Inuktitut 
A full deck plus a Joker
That's me

As a bike courier 
Each day's weather
Was a new game to play
Winter storms a sport of kings
For traffic riders
Crowned insane

Beneath a frosted balaclava 
A fervent grin with
Road salted teeth
Grinding
Under tread
Fifty-two words for snow and ice

I don't speak but understand
I know them intimately each.



17.11.23

Composed for Viv Wigley's
"My Winter"

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Gregory Richard Barden December 15, 2017 at 9:54 PM A sincere congrats on your well-deserved win, Mo - blessings to you, friend! What an exciting, (though challenging), profession! I would have enjoyed it, but for the winter rides, lol - I would love to hear your stories, perhaps we will meet someday and chat over a pint, (or coffee?). Loved this! :-) <3 Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 16, 2017 at 12:18 AM Thank you kindly my friend. The challenge was absolutely intoxicating, the work difinitively rewarding (A to B succinct and innocent: just the messenger) I can't think of a more dead end job that lends to feeling so alive. & That would be lovely, perhaps over an Absinthe ;)

Earl Schumacker December 12, 2017 at 2:21 AM Hi Maureen, Your snow and ice is nice in fifty shades of white plus two. I was not familiar with a balaclava. Now I am. Thanks for that. Our Eskimo friends must be proud of you. How can anyone know so many colors of snow? How cool is that?! Have a great day. Stay warm. Earl Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 15, 2017 at 7:19 AM Thank you Earl, will try! :) xomo

Stephen Pennell December 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM had to read this woke up to a white carpet in Cheshire today, rather you than me on a bike in snow lol stephen Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 9, 2017 at 11:06 AM Giggle :) retired, now snow be "a lovely day not to bike" lol Cheers!

Freddie Robinson Jr. December 6, 2017 at 10:12 AM Such a wonderful thrill ride sledding along w/your courier soul, Maureen. Your wit of expression is Mt. Rainier high skydive. So free ... so self-liberating. Exceptionally beautiful poetry. Love and more love always. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 6, 2017 at 10:18 AM The freedom was intoxicating, addictive for sure, it ruined me for any "chained" future employment ;) Thank you dear poet! Much love xomo

Darlene De Beaulieu December 6, 2017 at 7:31 AM Oh..my..gosh...I would not ride a bike in the winter. (that would be a trike) I do not have my trike anymore. Be careful on the road my friend. Have a nice day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu December 8, 2017 at 8:39 PM Be safe my friend. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 6, 2017 at 8:21 AM Oh I'm not riding in the winter anymore, in fact I'm on a trike now too! Cargo trike, dog model :) A lovely day to you! xomo

Robert Lindley December 5, 2017 at 7:14 AM You are not only a brilliant poet my friend but also a tough and very brave person to do that job in such hazardous and arduous weather conditions! I bet you even added to those 52 words! A fav..... Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 5, 2017 at 9:45 AM Giggle, I'm sure I have; car, bus and truck tires and salt creating a plethora of unique conditions, to be polite ;) Thank you my friend. xomo!

Joanna Daniel December 4, 2017 at 8:34 AM That must have been quite an experience, Maureen:) congratulations on your win:) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 4, 2017 at 10:02 AM Twas :) Thank you Jo! xomo

Subimal Sinha-Roy December 3, 2017 at 7:27 AM Congratulations, Maureen on your placement. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 3, 2017 at 7:52 AM Thank you Subimal, a lovely day to you!

Agnes Krampe December 2, 2017 at 11:17 AM That's a fabulous poem. So impressed that you were a bike courier in the frozen North. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 2, 2017 at 10:51 PM Thank you Agnes :) formidable winters and hot muggy summers, oh the joys of extremes ;)

Roy Pett December 1, 2017 at 9:49 AM Congratulations on your well deserved win brave lady. :)) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 1, 2017 at 9:52 AM Tee hee ;) thank you dear xomo!

Lim'Rik Flats December 1, 2017 at 8:53 AM Methinks you have true grit. Well, at least on your teeth. I'll bet you know 52 fiery epithetic utterances to describe errant drivers! Your occupation amazes, your poetry more so! ~ john Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart December 1, 2017 at 9:51 AM I did 20 yrs, 17 winters, am now "retired" :) Thank you John! Rubber Side Down! xxxomo

Viv Wigley November 29, 2017 at 3:07 AM Thanks for entering my contest and on your placement with this quirky piece, Maureen, made me smile. Viv x Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 29, 2017 at 6:31 AM Thank you Viv for my placement, your smile, and tickling my muse!! A lovely day to you! xomo

Connie Marcum Wong November 28, 2017 at 2:06 PM Excellent and uniquely expressed Mo! : ) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 28, 2017 at 2:23 PM Thank you Connie :) xomo!

Winged Warrior November 27, 2017 at 4:50 AM Nice description of winter Maureen...best of luck my friend...^WW^ Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 27, 2017 at 6:21 AM Thank you my friend :) xomo!

Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 4:55 PM You're one strong woman. Just in 40'ish and I'm shivering with cold... Lol! Excellent poem Maureen... hugs and smiles :) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 26, 2017 at 9:58 PM aka stubborn as a pack mule ;) thank you Akkina! Warm thoughts :) xomo!

Roy Pett November 26, 2017 at 7:43 AM Brilliant Maureen, not just a great poet but a very brave lady too, can't imagine doing what you did, well written as usual, GL in contest. :)) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 26, 2017 at 8:32 AM Giggle, I can barely imagine it myself now and I was there lol! Cheers and thank you Roy :) xomo!

Bernard Chan November 25, 2017 at 8:56 PM Great write! Taut, inventive and full of verve. Love it! Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 26, 2017 at 8:31 AM Thank you do much Bernard! Bless! xomo :)

Patricia Cresswell November 25, 2017 at 1:52 PM OMG Just like a sailor I know. No matter the weather he dares nature to take him down. That same feeling is in this poem about you my dear Amazon. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 26, 2017 at 8:30 AM That's pretty much the gist of it :) the mail must go through! I'm glad that was communicated xomo Cheers sistah!

Craig Cornish November 25, 2017 at 7:30 AM This is both clever and artistically poetic Maureen. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 25, 2017 at 8:34 AM Thank you Craig :) xomo!

Richard Lamoureux November 24, 2017 at 6:11 PM Impressive write with wonderful descriptive words. Well done, I can feel the snow crunching under my feet and my breath turning to ice crystals. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 24, 2017 at 10:57 PM Awesome, though I'm feeling it now that you mention it :) thank you Richard!

Pat Adams November 24, 2017 at 11:36 AM Excellent write my friend. Road salted teeth! omg.....I didn't see that one coming. Very descriptive as well it should be!! Reads like a winner to me. Luck!!.............80)....pat Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 24, 2017 at 12:06 PM Muchos thank yous Pat! Cheers! xomo :)

Demetrios Trifiatis November 24, 2017 at 8:03 AM Having spent close to 20 years in Canada an a winter in Port Cartier and Seven Islands I come close to understand you here dearest, Maureen! A captivating and vibrant poem! Good luck! Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 24, 2017 at 9:40 AM Brrr! That must have been cozy! Wonderful :) thank you dear Poet xomo!

Susan Ashley November 23, 2017 at 10:05 PM Such a great write Maureen, your third stanza especially... great imagery. Excellent and enjoyed every word. Your poetry shines my friend. Good luck in the contest! Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 24, 2017 at 7:31 AM Delighted! Thank you so much Susan :) I'm tickled with how it came together. Your encouraging words mean a lot to me, thank you for your kindness, always. Much love! xomo

Cheryl Hoffman November 23, 2017 at 8:39 PM Very interesting career you had Mo; this poem depicts the winters you had to go biking in them very well! Good luck in the contest!~Che :) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 24, 2017 at 7:28 AM It was, too a ruinous obsession :) body spent and there was no way I would conform to an office job after such freedom. Now the best part of being retired is when the weather turns I say to myself, "what a fabulous day not to bike". Thank you Che, a lovely day to you! xomo

Lewis Raynes November 23, 2017 at 6:43 PM this is a decidedly interesting read Maureen. nice Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 23, 2017 at 7:29 PM Thank you Lewis :) xomo

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