Celery Fields November 24, 2019

album

2019 Fyke Members Night contribution

slide show as PDF

Skylands November 15, 2019

album

ice on the pond

The ice on the pond forces the ducks to fly away

To go in search of open water in a warmer place

Leaving behind the seed eaters and stragglers

The ones we see walking past cold bare trees. 

We are bundled up under several layers

Feeling lips and teeth chilled as we breathe

Eyes sting and noses drip in the frigid air

Choosing to get outside for a few short hours.

Our talk is of times past contending with winter

Being bone cold after working outside all day

The way the wind would bite and tears froze

Shivering waiting for the bus or train to come.

My sister doesn't mind the freezing weather 

Saying all you need is the right clothes

Cheerful about going out in the snow and ice

Never minding her cold hands and dry skin.

Not us.  We will escape next week because we can

Going south to where the warm days invite us out

Going where the birds that migrate gather to wait

Not returning here until the spring buds leaf out.