On May 11, 2022

Snowbird

I don’t know whether to ride

my mower or push my snow-blower.

Given what April brings to us.

A drift, a daffodil. A decision

better left to not deciding.

Letting the sun do what it will

by the end of the afternoon.

Letting the grass stick through.

Letting the blades decide to mow

or throw the snow away

from my driveway onto the road.

Back into the field.

Where it’s sure to disappear,

as sure as May will arrive.

Whether or not the mercury inches

above freezing.

And the engines in my garage

can’t think of not turning over.

Coughing up smoke.

Clearing their throats of oil.

Making a fresh start to

whatever season this is.

In Vermont, the one

weather we can count on.

Making mud of our lives.

If we’ve taken off our winter

tires. Before it’s time

to take off our winter tires.

Time, gentlemen and women,

to start our engines.

Don’t be surprised when I say

from here in Daytona.

By the track. By the beach.

Where I can plow the sand

with my feet.

Cut some grass, if I feel like it.

Gary Margolis, Cornwall Town Poet

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Gov. Phil Scott, we’ve never needed you more, where are you?

July 2, 2025
Dear Editor, I was scheduled to be the final speaker at the “No Kings” rally in Burlington last week. Unfortunately, the event ran longer than anticipated, and I was not able to address the crowd. Here’s what I had planned to say:  Good afternoon. My name is Larry Satcowitz. I’m a state representative from Randolph.…

H.454 passed but not a done deal

July 2, 2025
By Rep. Peter Conlon Editor’s note: Rep. Peter Conlon, D-Cornwall, is chair of the House Education Committee. The passage of the education bill, H. 454, in the General Assembly, and presumably gaining the governor’s signature into law, marks the start of efforts to transform Vermont’s education system into one that recognizes the incredible demographic changes…

The worst bill in modern U.S. history

July 2, 2025
By U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders Editor’s note: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) gave the following remarks Sunday, June 29, on the floor of the U.S. Senate opposing President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Mr. President: President Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” now on the floor of the Senate, is the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history…

Protecting SNAP protects farmers

July 2, 2025
Dear Editor, As the director of the Burlington Farmers Market I am deeply concerned about what’s happening in Congress right now and the potential to gut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, two of the most essential programs that help people put food on the table and get the healthcare they need. At our…