On the 9th Day of Advent, 2014...

In England, snowfall is a regular occurrence; in Libya or Dubai, not so much! In central Texas, we sometimes get lucky and see half-an-inch of late-season snow which lasts for just a few hours. I am therefore especially fond of poetry about winter weather. Here's one of my favorite seasonal poems -- not Christmas, but seasonal by John Updike.

“December,” by John Updike

First snow! The flakes,
So few, so light,
Remake the world
In solid white

All bundled up,
We feel as if
We were fat penguins,
Warm and stiff.

The toy-packed shops
Half split their sides,
And Mother brings home
Things she hides.

Old carols peal.
The dusk is dense.
There is a mood
Of sweet suspense.

The shepherds wait,
The kings, the tree -
All wait for something
Yet to be,

Some miracle.
And then it’s here,
Wrapped up in hope -
Another year!

First and Only Snow in Austin, Texas, February 2011

Our Garden Fox in Central Texas Snow, 2011