A Taste of Winter

by Elizabeth St Jacques and Michael Dylan Welch

Written from July through September, 1994, between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Foster City, California. First published in HWUP #37, November/December 1995, page 12.

on the cedar bough

freshly fallen snow

. . . the taste of it Elizabeth

cat in the corner

of the iced picture window Michael

echoes of sticks

and steaming breaths

at the hockey rink Elizabeth

dashing from his truck

through blinding sleet,

pizza delivery boy Michael

cotton fluff disappears

. . . Santa’s too-large suit Elizabeth

a rolled newspaper . . .

icicles clatter

from the neighbour’s eaves Michael