Oh the excitement! A storm is coming,
Weather forecasters are so seldom wrong,
Rumors are flying, and nerves are humming.
Even teachers smile at the hopeful throng.
Internet weather searches are many
The night before a major storm comes through.
A young child’s face shines like a new penny.
Even parents hope, at least one or two.
The first flakes fall unnoticed in the dark,
Stars hidden by clouds, snowflake stars falling,
Lightly, but thickly, on tree, road and park.
Schools are closed only after some stalling.
Parents and kids sleep in past the gray dawn.
Parents sleep longest, quiet kids watch cartoons.
Mom comes down to breakfast with a yawn,
Dad flips pancakes. Kids eat peaches with spoons.
Weather is perfect, just below freezing.
Snow is heavy, wet, perfect for packing.
We play outside all day without sneezing.
Children roll giant snowballs for stacking.
Seedpods make spiky eyes and twigs form arms,
Meanwhile, two boys sling snowballs from sled forts,
Pink-covered smallest makes snow angels farms,
And we sled until we’re soaked to the shorts.
Dry clothes and cocoa with marshmallows untold,
Help finish shoveling, board games to play,
As the plows finally clear our back road.
Oak leaves dangle forlornly with snow’s weight.
Tired children fall into their warm beds.
Coats drip dry by radiators, thumping,
Parents mop up water and shake their heads,
Pray for sunshine before tired slumping.
Copyright 2014 Brenda Davis Harsham
Inspired by Painttheworldwithwords weekly poetry prompt, and her helpful post defining an ode, with links to, among other great odes, Keats’ Ode to a Grecian Urn, Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind, and Creeley’s America.
53 thoughts on “Ode to a Snowday”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
You’ve really created a snow idyll here! No sneezing, even 🙂
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LOL No, indeed. No sneezing required!
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Sounds like, looks like fun! We don’t get snow where we come from, only on the high mountains.
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We got a dusting last night. The ice is a bigger problem. I don’t like anything that make me fall. 🙂
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Brenda, I remember snowdays, both as a child and as an adult, this some it up very well. Take care,Bill
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Thanks! We do have fun. 🙂 Hugs, Brenda
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Reblogged this on Over 40 and Killing it™ and commented:
So beautiful and the words brought back memories to my youth years ago!!!
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Thanks! I remember some amazing snow days, too. I hope my kids will remember how much fun they were, one day. 🙂
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They will…it seems so lovely were you are!
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Thanks, I am lucky to live in a beautiful place. 🙂
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Very beautiful it is 😉
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
RIGHT UP OUR ALLEY, THIS IS!!!!!
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I’m afraid that I cannot echo your enthusiasm for winter, cold, snow, ice, storms, frost, chill…
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After 5 degrees fahrenheit, 30 seemed balmy. 🙂 I was toasty warm. But I do understand that many would not agree. Long time, no hear. How are you?
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I’ve been warm at 20 degrees before. But then, there was no wind. I’ve been quietly “liking” posts but rarely have anything to say, as well. Apologies for that. I am always:
-sculpting
-writing
-wishing for the magical monetary windfall
-wishing there was no need for an alarm in the morning
That is all.
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I agree with the alarm, if I have to hear it, I’m going to be tired all day. Can’t wake at 6 without it while it’s dark out, though. Sculpting sounds fun, but tiring. I used to work in word, and I remember sweating one summer, Carving. I don’t know if I have the strength anymore.
I don’t always know if someone likes my things. I had to shut off the emails since I was getting literally hundreds a day, and I couldn’t cope with that volume. I flounder along as best as I can, trying to keep up. Failing. Trying some more.
Anyway, it was good to hear from you. I will hope for a magical monetary windfall for us both!!
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I love this! I haven’t seen proper snow for four years, reading this brought back some wonderful memories. Thank you for writing and sharing this! 😀 x
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It was the perfect snowday ever. 🙂 The previous ones this year were more than 20 below freezing and only a few inches turned up. This was our usual New England no’easter. 🙂 I bet you’d make an awesome snowman. 🙂
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Wow that is cold! Ah I’m out of practice building snowmen, think I could manage a snow angel though! 😉 x
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I’m sure you could!
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Great poem, made me wish we had snow days… right now it is all flood days! 🙂
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Didn’t you get some snow last winter? I remember Europe getting slammed, but I don’t if England got slammed, too. You’re in England, right?
Floods are bad enough, but at least you don’t have to shovel it. 🙂
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Yes we do get snow and most years but not usually enough for snow days as such!
England is sinking so many poor people having their homes ruined for the fourth and fifth times in two years! Hey ho best get a boat!! 😉
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England is sinking? A house boat might be the only answer!
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Yes for some that is no joke just the unrelenting truth. xx
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Sympathies.
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you have described this perfectly with your words, brenda. (and some teachers are up at 5 on those days because they are so excited )
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LOL I know, right? The kids are not the only ones with big grins.
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Blissful, calm, peaceful! Wow! This really made me fall in love with winter again. Spectacular words & an apt ode. I liked the images you added to the poem which complimented the imagery. Wonderful job Brenda! Im truly inspired!
Thanks for your participation!
If you would like to guest post for PTWWW, kindly follow this link & reblog it: http://painttheworldwithwords.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/paint-the-worlds-new-feature-guest-posts/
Thanks & Best Regards,
Amreen
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After closing the schools multiple days here for the -F temps… They leave them open yesterday with the most dangerous driving conditions of the season! Gesh! I brought my work home knowing it was gonna sux driving. So, not really a snow day if I had to work from home….
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Yeah, some working occurred here, too, but so did lots of fun things. 🙂 I slept really well. LOL
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I feel I need to send an apology for not following your blog sooner because I am loving what I have seen so far!
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I’m so happy you like what you see. I’m in the groove these days, and publishing less fairy tales. Still I try to access the magic. 🙂
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We all need a little magic!
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We didn’t get a snow day! Just lots of snow and horrible roads!! Your post brought back fond memories of when we did get snow days:-)
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No snow day!? What rotten luck! We’ve been enjoying the party unexpected. 🙂
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I know… We were all a little disappointed… And cursing our superintendent during our commute!!
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LOL I shouldn’t laugh, but I’m happy to hear I’m not the only parent who hopes for a snowday, along with my kids.
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You’re definitely not!! Although I’m an empty nester:-) There is something magical about a snow day!!!!
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Your gravatar makes you look about 25. You’re an empty nester? Wow. I guess I could be an empty nester if I had had kids younger… but I didn’t. 🙂
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That is definitely the nicest thing I’ve heard in years Brenda!!!!!!!!! Thank you:-) I’m turning 52 in April! Argh!!!!!! Where did the years go??? And if you look closely you can see the 52 year old wrinkles!!!!
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Nah, I don’t see any wrinkles. LOL Maybe your bathroom light is too strong. 😉
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That it is!! Maybe I should put a 10 watt bulb in there! Make me look 20:-)
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There you go. LOL We are pretty close in age actually, but I didn’t start having kids until I was nearly 34. Had my youngest at nearly 42. Whew!!
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Kids keep us young! Paul, my son, is 19 now so I was 33:-) And you don’t look close to my age at all! Seriously I always thought you were much younger but with an old soul because of how you write!!!!
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My oldest is 12 if you want to do the math. I was the youngest in my family, so you could be my sister! 🙂
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I could!!!!:-) Now we are blogging sisters! My youngest sister is 39:-)
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LOL Perfect then. Hugs, Sister!
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Hugs back Brenda! Sun is shining in all that glorious snow!
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Here, too! I need to get out for a walk.
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