Snowflakes detached themselves
from the heavens
pixels in their multitudes
swarmed to earth
born on the wind
each insignificant
but together a force
to stall the countryside
mute the crackling
staccato of machines
and lock life in its cold
silent hug
The old man decided
to shovel his driveway and the walks
after breakfast
after lunch
after supper
and each time
the snow lay waiting
howling drifting
pant cuff deep
over the boot tops
almost to the knees
When he staggered in
after each session
he was a little more tired
his joints a little more warped
his body sagged a little more
and he a little less
snow caked his parka a little more
his eyes blurred a little more
his corns ached a little more
and he a little less
The next day
he would face a little more
and feel a little less


I like this poem. It would go well on my blogspot.
You look like a world worn guy in your photo. About the same as me (see my byline at poet-in-residence).
Can I use your poem? I’ve got quality street stuff coming in for yueltide. I’d like to include this one.
By the way, I got to Montreal a couple of times in the 70s. Never saw so much snow. Until ten years ago when I moved to the land of Mozart.
Hope to hear from you. I have great memories of Canada and friends near Vancouver!
Gwilym Williams http://poet-in-residence.blogspot.com
Certainly, use it on your blog, as long as you cite the source with my byline, with a link to my blog. I have quite a few more poems about snow: click on the “snow” category or tag to see them all, including the series based on the Inuit words for snow.
About Vancouver: my daughter is an artist who lives in Vancouver with her husband and young son. Her site is http://stephaniehill.com/
You might also like to check out http://platinum-river.blogspot.com where I blog occasionally about wordcurrents.
On http://poet-in-residence.blogspot.com in a few minutes, with acknowledgements.
I can identify with your hero as I injured my shoulder last year clearing the snow. It needed 10 physio visits before it mended.
Best wishes for the festive season
and many thanks,
Gwilym Williams