Home » 2013 » 03 » 11 »

FROM READERS: '52 degree ode,' a poem inspired by warmer weather

Monday, March 11, 2013 | 4:03 p.m. CDT; updated 3:17 p.m. CDT, Thursday, March 28, 2013

BY MARGARET PREZIOSO-FRYE/MISSOURIAN READER

Margaret Prezioso-Frye is a single mother of two children who moved to Columbia in 1987. She often writes poems and shares them with the Columbia Missourian.

Normally I wouldn't submit something so soon after my last submission, but I was so inspired by my walk Sunday morning: the over the 50 degree weather, snow melting away, visible sidewalks and most of the population using daylight savings time as their excuse to begin the day later. I couldn't and didn't want to stop the flood of thoughts like the running streams I was walking along side of as I kicked snow loose watching it drift away. For a change of pace, I called them:

Related Media

52º Ode

The clocks moved forward saving daylight once again

Thank-goodness for that

But I went walking this morning an hour later than I should

It felt good

Tomorrow I will walk in dark light, greet the day later on

And will always bring my mace

That I walk in peace, be warned

And there be no pain in another face

But the snow is melting thank you fifty-two degrees

Curbside rivers running

I have sidewalks again

I stomped snow into streams

Watching ice float away as I play

My choice to walk the peaceful street or not

Even at that time of day all stay in bed and hide away

Time to get up, what, what, no way!

No worries of cars on ice or

Lightening fast will I get away?

Only of the all night stoner who

Shouldn’t be on the road at night

Never mind the day

Or the all-night worker

Finding his, or is it her morning way

Or the drunk always drunk

A legal habit with a price all pay

But spring is coming, and winter begone

How I enjoyed my walk on such a day!

But the next day winter had something to say

Winter strikes back at spring
Windy mist sting with
Glassy ice splinters unseen
Passing a streetlight
They gust by uncloaked
In rainy spray frozen
Under a morning night sky
Sharp pinch on my lashes
Flutter over my eye

This story is part of a section of the Missourian called From Readers, which is dedicated to your voices and your stories. We hope you'll consider sharing. Here's how. Supervising Editor is Joy Mayer.

Like what you see here? Become a member.

Show Me the Errors (What's this?)

Report corrections or additions here. Leave comments below here.

You must be logged in to participate in the Show Me the Errors contest.

Comments

Speak up and join the conversation! Make sure to follow the guidelines outlined below and register with our site. You must be logged in to comment. (Our full comment policy is here.)

Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
Don't use language that makes personal attacks on fellow commenters or discriminates based on race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
Use your real first and last name when registering on the website. It will be published with every comment. (Read why we ask for that here.)
Don’t solicit or promote businesses.

We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through. If you see something objectionable, please click the "Report comment" link.

FROM READERS: '52 degree ode,' a poem inspired by warmer weather

Show Me the Errors (What's this?)

Comments

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to comment.