[There are quite a few varieities of snow not covered by the list of eleven Inuit words for snow. The next few poems speculate about this state of affairs in the snow industry.]
On certain days
when the weather gods
look a particular way
(in a particular direction,
probably southwesterlyish)
snow morphs into the perfect
compound for making snowballs.
The technical term for this
is unpronouncable
and certainly varies
(depending on whether
you are
making
throwing
or receiving)
Making a snowball is
an act full of hope
you are hoping to
take that guy
or girl
down a peg
or make that guy
or girl
give chase
in a gale of giggles
or cool lust
Throwing a snowball
is a test of skill
and hope
you are hoping
your skill will
make you look good
in somebody’s eyes
it may also be followed
by an act of
extreme nonchalence
Receiving a snowball
is a challenge
do you give it
the response it demands
in either skill or giggles or lust or accuracy
or do you fall
to the ground
and die
