A January Walk

It appears that the real January has finally arrived at this little place here--snow this morning with air temps in the teens and wind chills touching zero; now that's more like it for January in Michigan! 

Many people are grumbling about the weather being cold today, but I find it actually comforting to get a familiar January day instead of all the warm, soggy, fall-like weather we've had so far this winter.  Really, depsite having to bundle up into my Carhartt bibs and coat, my Mad Bomber fur-lined hat, my hand-me-up Sorel boots (hand-me-up because I inherited them when my daughters outgrew them, lol) and my thick insulated work gloves, I'm liking this cold snap.  Despite having to keep the chickens contained in their coop for warmth, despite having to bust ice out of the dog and cats' dishes, despite the slick drifted roads, I'm happy.

In honor of normal winter weather finally showing up, I present a poem I wrote several years ago.  It was inspired by the things I saw while doing farm chores on a frigid January day.

A January Walk

When the January sky is pale blue,

And the sun shines bright white,

The world is made of frosted glass.

My breath turns to snowflakes,

My skin tingles and I know I am alive.

As I walk, the snow squeaks softly

Beneath my feet.

There is movement in the evergreens;

Sparrows and chickadees peer

From where they nestle within.

Rabbit tracks dance upon powdery snow;

Raised lines betray the tunnels

Where mice travel below.

The snow shows the impression of wingtips;

Earlier a hawk swooped silently

To catch his meal.

Hoary-haired deer glide quietly

Through white-shrouded woods.

And fields sleep gently

In a crystalline glitter.

All is calm and peaceful.

My soul is still.