Snow on Branches. Photo by Francis DiClemente.
I wrote this poem recently and it seems fitting for a day dominated by a lake effect blast.
How to Survive Winter in Syracuse
The only way to survive
a Syracuse winter
is to think of the snow
as a friend and not a foe.
When you scrape the ice
crusted on your windshield
and the snow clogs the streets,
when your tires spin,
or your car veers off the road—
regarding the snow
as a friend and not a foe
will help you to endure the season.
Even when the snow lashes
your face as it blows sideways,
or frozen clumps melt inside your boots,
making your feet cold and damp,
you must remember to
view the snow as a friend instead of a foe.
And what a friend … a friend that keeps on
giving and giving and giving
six months out of the year.
To which I say:
thank you my dear friend,
but I don’t need your generosity.
Francis DiClemente 
A sane, amusing, unpretentious poem: thanks, Francis, I enjoyed it. But still curse and splutter!
oh, didn’t mean to be anonymous:it’s Peter Pegnall
Thanks so much for the comment Peter. I appreciate it. Take care, Francis
Great poem! Snow is never more vicious than in the northeast. I actually miss it. Denver has NO SNOW! Merry Christmas, Francis!!!
Hi Lisa. Thanks for the comment and Merry Christmas to you too. Are you living in Denver? If so, I am jealous! I hear it’s a great city. Take care.