Wherever I may hop
and plop them down
in summer my hind feet
are a shade of brown
yet in winter white
which leave large footprints
each and every night
but then by day
I'll have you know
they give the game away
as is my inborn habit
here there and everywhere
for at best I'm less a rabbit
more a snowshoe hare
The cream esteem my winter coat,
a mink nearby agrees,
temptation wiles beyond the gloat,
a warming gentle breeze.
The juggernaut that Arctic blinds,
the absence of my food,
of barks and twigs and other finds,
the breath of Spring feels good.
Our ashen whites will prompt away,
to chestnut furriness,
we'll blend right in without delay,
Earth tones are more than less.
The thawing out of wintry days,
the freshness of the spring,
revealing plants and shoots neath rays,
the wealth this season brings.
The game afoot, who'd be the prey,
the predators are loose,
a field of grass now on display,
sweet green blades, flags of truce.
A mumbling heard neath weights of snow,
a pair of eyes are slushed,
two ears pop up to words of woe,
it's just a dream, I'm crushed!
It was supposed to be
A simple snowshoe expedition
Nothing glamorous or too exciting
But the day started out magnificent
Gloriously sunny and mild
Ideal for newbies and amateurs
It felt like a girl guide outing
Average age was ten
The trail was awesome
Breathtaking on either side
Snow covered bushes as far as you could see
Glistening sprinkling of fairy dust
And here we were single file
A line up of colored tuques and snowsuits
Getting acquainted with our snowshoes
Making our imprints with every step
What a surprise awaiting around the corner
A huge bonfire
Who would have guessed
Roasting wieners on a branch
Best lunch we ever had
A most magical marvelous memory
When all was done and said
Nothing left but light fluffy snowflakes
Caressing the last few remaining embers
AP: Honorable Mention 2021
Above the fire
Next to
The gnarled
Moose head
Single snowshoe
Desert varnish
Dry window
Cold
Air
Windless
White
Night
Snowshoe tracks
Deep within my heart
A very lucky rabbit
Is the northern snowshoe hare …
Each year he gets new furry boots,
And a fur coat with each pair!
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