This late snow keeps spring’s dressings at bay

 

April’s late snow keeps spring’s dressings at bay,

a thick coat covers, a tulip falls a star spent

where winter’s wicked throes play for another day.

 

Clocks spring forward but the groundhogs stay,

weathermen scratch their heads, children content

April’s late snow keeps spring’s dressings at bay.

 

Near the frozen fountain the lakeside girls can’t play,

no sundresses or sandles, or grasses’ green scent,

winter’s wicked throes play for another day.

 

Landscape colors seem shadows of various gray,

trees grow white wiskers with bumps of buds to hint 

April’s late snow keeps spring’s dressings at bay.

 

A mailman forgot his hat! In place a bejeweled ice toupee

swells over his balding head, the repose of snow to lament

winter’s wicked throes play for another day.

 

 

 “Where’s the promised greenhouse effect?” one might say,

but then again how can we take for granted what’s lent?

April’s late snow keeps spring’s dressings at bay

where winter’s wicked throes play for another day

 

-- Villanelle for Spring

April 7, 2003