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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"

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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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 12/8/2017 8:39:00 PM

Be safe my friend.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.....

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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:)

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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. :))

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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! : )

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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^

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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 :)

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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. :))

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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 :)

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
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

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 11/23/2017 7:29:00 PM

Thank you Lewis :) xomo