Rare Snowfall

The snowfields of my childhood
Are but memories today 
In mild winters where I now live
Fifteen hundred miles away.

But today I wakened to a sight
That took me back in time.
Bright snow lies glistening on the ground.
The trees are wreathed with rime.

My little year-round garden
Is hunkered out of sight.
Dire warnings on the TV--
There will be more snow tonight.

The schools are closed and children
Are sledding down the hills,
Some partaking for the first time
In a winter day of thrills.

The roads are ice arenas which
Few drivers can traverse.
Cars lie abandoned by the side
Or in the ditch or worse.

In the winters of the long ago
My daddy kept a sleigh
And a horse or two to pull it
On such a wintry day.

Over-coats and galoshes
Were ours in good supply,
To get us through the winter's cold
And snow drifts, mountain high.

I wish that I could conjure up
A horse and big red sleigh
That I could take out for a drive
On a sunny, winter's day.

I'd gather up my grand-children
In my big sled for a ride,
To see the startling beauty of
A wintry country-side.

won 10th place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Griffiths Avatar
November 5, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Congratulations Joyce, wonderful poem. Pam
George   Avatar
November 5, 2009 at 5:42 AM
I too have memories of sleigh rides through a winter-wonder land with my Grandad. Beuatiful poem, Joyce. Thank you for the precious memories. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Love, Lainie
K. Avatar
November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Congrats on your win in this wonderful poem, I really liked how it flowed--lovely write--thanks as well for the greetings!
Sweetheart Avatar
November 4, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Beautiful Joyce .. lovely and well earned win in the Let It Snow contest.. congratulations and bravo on job well done.. keep at it and give us more beauties to read....I am quite honored to be sharing the same stage with u as an honorable mention... thankxxx for your encouraging words always regarding my poetry... luv the Soup... Linda-Marie, P.E. P.S. "Sweetheart" per HG
Richards Avatar
November 4, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Congratulations on this wonderful winning poem, Joyce! ~ Love, Carrie
Brown Avatar
November 4, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Congratulations on your win in Constance's Let It Snow contest Joyce. Love, Carol
Fraser Avatar
August 15, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Joyce, what a beautiful poem. Come to Scotland, you can play in the snow on the high ground>>James
Golden Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Love the sentimental feel to this one...and the cozy scene it creates. Donna G.
Byrd Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I grew up in East Texas... snow was rare, indeed. My first snowfall I will always remember. It happened one night when I was a young musician in Nashville in 1965. As night fell, so did the snow. It fell in big, soft flakes that silenced the world. I was captivated by the magic of it and walked in it for hours. Later, that year, I was drafted and wound up in Vietnam. Sometimes, when the heat got bad, I would seek relief in the memory of that snow. You brought it back to me. Thanks
Parish Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Absolutely wonderful. I love this poem. Your description almost makes me feel I was there.
Higgins Avatar
February 8, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I love the memory in this piece and also the longing. I love the journey of going back and reliving becoming new again from the ride taken..Lovely piece of work.
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