Winters Past

I remember long, long icicles that glittered in the sun

Like crystals flashing from the eaves of houses, every one!

First stretching longer, day by days.

Then dripping, shrinking, the array,

Of sparkling spears a-dangle disappeared, and there were none.

I remember frosty forest ferns upon the window glass,

Those early morning etching as of jungle leaf and grass,

Which wavered with alarm

And vanished as the air grew warm,

But overnight appeared again with glorious foliage mass.

I remember tall brick chimneys on rooftops everywhere,

And noses pinched by acrid smell of coal smoke in the air,

And watching grimy soot-fall fly

Onto the laundry hung to dry -

And laughing, sliding on the snow as grownups turned to stare.

~ Mary Catherine Johnson