Something

About a Minnesota Winter

By Jane Gilgun

omething about a Minnesota winter
when the wind whips the snow into white curtains
and blows the frigid air up our noses
and freezes the hair in our nostrils
when dogs have to wear boots
or have frost-bitten feet
when horses grow hair thick as sheep fleece
and their eyes sparkle in the blazing light
when tulip bulbs rejoice they are underground
blanketed with three feet of snow
when human beings hunker down
and eat big bowls of buttered popcorn

Makes me long for hugs and kisses
and the warmth of you
all around me
You melt the ache in my heart
put the spring back in my spirit
remind me that all is well

Minneapolis
27 January 2014
in the midst of the 2nd Arctic vortex of the winter