First Ice Pellets Poem by Deanna Samuels

Those first of year ice pellets rained down this morning,
a warning given on the radio much earlier in the day.
It happened as predicted though often could be wrong
and soon the ground was looking like a skating rink
shiny, glossy, enticing but dangerous all the same.
Had planned to feed the back wood creatures
as snow had laid upon the ground all week
and overnight had melted so was easier on the feet.
Glibly stepped out upon the stone brick walkway
leading down to the side garden steps and path
and yonder onto lower deck which overlooks the woods.
Already started slipping and sliding, this not a good idea
but my heart tugged to think of those hungry birds and cubs
and very gingerly, onward, not speeding but step by step.
Over a slippery deck, the back yard glass fence loomed,
there, held on while dug deep into bag of tasty morsels
grabbing handfuls and throwing them as far as could
under the heavy iced clad low hanging fir branches.
Did not take too long before the bags were empty,
took one last look at the quiet green scene of firs
and very slowly, climbed back up the snowy grass incline
which proved safer than the now very icy steps and path,
and stepped into garage, back into the warmth of home.


Written at Courtice, Ontario - 9th December 2024