"Oh My, it's cold," growled the man next door;
"There's never been a snow like this before.
Ground's all covered and it's still coming down,
My food's going fast, and I can't get to town.
Wish it was time for summer to come back,
Better to be too hot, than to freeze in my tracks.
Have to sit in the house with the doors all closed.
Chilled to the bone, my toes all froze.
What's that noise?"
He jumps to his feet.
"Must be them mean kids that live down the street.
Go on home," they heard him scold.
"But sir, we've made you a snowman out of this beautiful snow.
See his corncob pipe, and his eyes of blue.
He has a big smile just like you!"
"Well, maybe I'll just sit by the window awhile;
See if that snowman does have a smile.
The snow does look pretty, all glittering through the trees;
Maybe that snowman does look a lot like me.
The children are leaving kinda wish they would stay;
Maybe they'll come back another day.
Y'know, it does seem to be warmer,
Think I will turn the fire down, put on my coat, and walk around town.
Oh, my! It's stopped snowing," he said with a shout.
"Just my kind of luck, the sun is coming out.
The snow will start melting and turning to mud,
Probably start raining and come a big flood.
Sure to get stuck if I drive my car.
Humph, guess I'll go back inside and sit by the fire!"
Hattie Tanksley
January 12, 1985