The birds are quiet today
Tree limbs are still and
The temperature is cold
No animals are roaming
Evidence of the sun along
The horizon as brightness
Is prevalent in multi-shades
There is no doubt that this
Is the middle of winter
We acknowledge that
Spring is getting closer
This fact lightens our burden
And makes us feel like
We have accomplished
Something. We have a means
Of keeping warm, but at
The great expense as the bills
For energy keep increasing
As does the tab for food
Flurries are dropping to
The ground, ever so slowly
We do not need more snow
Mountains of it are everywhere
And snow-machine enthusiasm
Is at a peak as they travel
Hundreds of miles to take
Advantage of the well-groomed
Trails in the U.P., spending
A week here before returning
To their families and work
Down below. They are trolls
And their bravado is not
Appreciated as much as their
Money is. We know what we
Have and don’t need to be told
By them or anyone. Meanwhile
The lake is very calm and the
Sky is gray. So it goes.
Stanski
February 5, 2023, ^
Steve Haarman 