Winter Again

we celebrated the snowfall
partied on our skis
excitement was pervasive
merry
jolly
blessed
this could be the year
finally?
again?
until the warm breezes rolled
sidelined but we knew
cold would come again
waited with anticipation

a late-year snowfall kissed us
dancing on skies
through New Year’s weekend
Happy 2006!
to mid-January

warmth wandered through
a second time
knowing it wouldn’t
couldn’t stay
yet hanging-on long enough to be a pest

Wisconsin
we over-filled our days
epic cross-country skiing
snow was perfect trails perfect
temperatures perfect
friends
grace
flow
rising and falling with the terrain
tied to the forces beyond us
the silent sport
became joyously raucous
thirty of us reveled in
the rhumba on the skinny boards

returned home
exhausted endorphined
the warm damp ground
smelling of grass green-brown
skis came inside
retired at the height of their performance

the ride sensed the roads
somewhat hesitant
knew it didn’t quite belong
to January
not content to stay inside
bicycled to work
groceries
pet food
letters
beer
in the warmth of January

January

it was too soon
knew it
fell for it
and then temps
fell
as well

winter is loved for its intensity
brightness and sparkle
the chill that allows us to partake
sometimes reminds us
of the benefits of cozy hibernation
but now it’s just playing
a nasty game
with a cyclist
who skis in the off season

- TOB got the skis back out and had a nice cold weekend....