A Dry Cold - Jan 3 2022

 

A Dry Cold

Jan 3 2022

Too cold for snow.

It feels even colder

under high clear skies,

especially after dark

when the blanket of cloud has lifted;

when the stars hardly shimmer

in the still arctic air,

and the heavens

are a limitless black abyss.

Colder still, when you consider windchill,

a cruel knife

that not only cuts, but twists;

as if to inflict

even more discomfort.

When distant sounds

come loud and clear

through densely settled air.

When snow creaks grudgingly,

crunching underfoot

as if protesting every step;

like a badly hung door

in need of oil

swinging grudgingly back and forth.

A dry cold, we say

in the extremity of winter.

Except when when the wind shifts

and it turns unseasonably warm.

Low leaden skies

that perfectly reflect

your dull oppressive mood.

Snow turning to drizzle,

and flat grey lakes

on saturated snow.

Water dripping

from overloaded eaves.

A wet cold

that penetrates bone

and follows you inside,

so even there

you feel the chill

shivering up your spine.

It's extremely cold these days. But beautiful. And it's true what they say about "a dry cold".

Inevitably, though, a warm spell will follow; especially in this time of see-saw weather extremes. I don't look forward to it. The spring thaw is messy enough. Who needs more of that?