Winter left this morning,

ending her February visit to town.

She flew in angry with wind

cold as the arctic.

We welcomed her

because she promised to cover our ski trails with snow.

But she had a bad flight from Boston

where they didn’t appreciate her white beauty.

She discharged her anger by hammering us for days

with cold Taku winds

that stirred the dust on downtown streets

but brought no snow. After mellowing,

she released flurries

onto ground cooled by her gentle caress.

Winter left this morning

as her snowflakes soften into rain.

After wishing her well, Aki and I slogged

through deep snow over a mountain meadow

before it melts under an approaching wet storm.

Please miss

pay us at least one more visit

before the crocus bloom