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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"

Copyright © Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart | Year Posted 2017

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Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/15/2017 9:54:00 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 Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/16/2017 12:18:00 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 Date: 12/12/2017 2:21:00 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 Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/15/2017 7:19:00 AM Thank you Earl, will try! :) xomo

Stephen Pennell Date: 12/9/2017 11:00:00 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 Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/9/2017 11:06:00 AM Giggle :) retired, now snow be "a lovely day not to bike" lol Cheers!

Freddie Robinson Jr. Date: 12/6/2017 10:12:00 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. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/6/2017 10:18:00 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 Date: 12/6/2017 7:31:00 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. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 12/8/2017 8:39:00 PM Be safe my friend. Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/6/2017 8:21:00 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 Date: 12/5/2017 7:14:00 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..... Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/5/2017 9:45:00 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 Date: 12/4/2017 8:34:00 AM That must have been quite an experience, Maureen:) congratulations on your win:) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/4/2017 10:02:00 AM Twas :) Thank you Jo! xomo

Subimal Sinha-Roy Date: 12/3/2017 7:27:00 AM Congratulations, Maureen on your placement. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/3/2017 7:52:00 AM Thank you Subimal, a lovely day to you!

Agnes Krampe Date: 12/2/2017 11:17:00 AM That's a fabulous poem. So impressed that you were a bike courier in the frozen North. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/2/2017 10:51:00 PM Thank you Agnes :) formidable winters and hot muggy summers, oh the joys of extremes ;)

Roy Pett Date: 12/1/2017 9:49:00 AM Congratulations on your well deserved win brave lady. :)) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/1/2017 9:52:00 AM Tee hee ;) thank you dear xomo!

Lim'Rik Flats Date: 12/1/2017 8:53:00 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 Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 12/1/2017 9:51:00 AM I did 20 yrs, 17 winters, am now "retired" :) Thank you John! Rubber Side Down! xxxomo

Viv Wigley Date: 11/29/2017 3:07:00 AM Thanks for entering my contest and on your placement with this quirky piece, Maureen, made me smile. Viv x Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/29/2017 6:31:00 AM Thank you Viv for my placement, your smile, and tickling my muse!! A lovely day to you! xomo

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 11/28/2017 2:06:00 PM Excellent and uniquely expressed Mo! : ) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/28/2017 2:23:00 PM Thank you Connie :) xomo!

Winged Warrior Date: 11/27/2017 4:50:00 AM Nice description of winter Maureen...best of luck my friend...^WW^ Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/27/2017 6:21:00 AM Thank you my friend :) xomo!

Akkina Downing Date: 11/26/2017 4:55:00 PM You're one strong woman. Just in 40'ish and I'm shivering with cold... Lol! Excellent poem Maureen... hugs and smiles :) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/26/2017 9:58:00 PM aka stubborn as a pack mule ;) thank you Akkina! Warm thoughts :) xomo!

Roy Pett Date: 11/26/2017 7:43:00 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. :)) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/26/2017 8:32:00 AM Giggle, I can barely imagine it myself now and I was there lol! Cheers and thank you Roy :) xomo!

Bernard Chan Date: 11/25/2017 8:56:00 PM Great write! Taut, inventive and full of verve. Love it! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/26/2017 8:31:00 AM Thank you do much Bernard! Bless! xomo :)

Patricia Cresswell Date: 11/25/2017 1:52:00 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. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/26/2017 8:30:00 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 Date: 11/25/2017 7:30:00 AM This is both clever and artistically poetic Maureen. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/25/2017 8:34:00 AM Thank you Craig :) xomo!

Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/24/2017 6:11:00 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. Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/24/2017 10:57:00 PM Awesome, though I'm feeling it now that you mention it :) thank you Richard!

Pat Adams Date: 11/24/2017 11:36:00 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 Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/24/2017 12:06:00 PM Muchos thank yous Pat! Cheers! xomo :)

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 11/24/2017 8:03:00 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! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/24/2017 9:40:00 AM Brrr! That must have been cozy! Wonderful :) thank you dear Poet xomo!

Susan Ashley Date: 11/23/2017 10:05:00 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! Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/24/2017 7:31:00 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 Date: 11/23/2017 8:39:00 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 :) Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/24/2017 7:28:00 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 Date: 11/23/2017 6:43:00 PM this is a decidedly interesting read Maureen. nice Login to Reply Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 11/23/2017 7:29:00 PM Thank you Lewis :) xomo

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