by Kevin T. McEneaney
When there’s frost painted on nose, ice in toes,
fingers split on many digits, can’t move,
ice clinging to eyelids, beard, and nose hairs,
ears screaming like an opera diva,
hair frozen to back of head and chapped neck,
kneecaps jiggling like salsa marimba,
wind blowing so hard you wish your teeth pulled,
lips cracked like glass shattered on patio,
wanting to pee but fear freezing organ,
then you know winter ecstasy is yours….
Despite dubious pleasure of above,
winter can be warmth with wine or hot tea
before leaping flames of wood stove or hearth—
or radiance of cheerful company!
