Lake Effect Snow

The lamp post wears a tall chef's hat

juniper branches bow low under deep

white weighty snow.

Wind pirouettes, now west, now north

northwest, southeast

in treetops, shakes down waterfalls of snow--

drapes sinuous shapes on eaves

where icy daggers grow.

With still more snow in its maw

the wind moans low.

Frost flowers sparkle my window panes

and still more snow.

--Barbara Spring