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Poems by Liz Zetlin, Owen Sound Poet Laureate 2007
Some Functions of Snow
For quiet. To play
charades with the trees,
tickle the backs of lakes.
For obliteration, alliteration
and rhyme. To refrigerate
knees, force us to slow down, simplify,
clean out the closets. To insulate
and lessen loss – of water
from dormant plants, of sadness
from the rest of us. To sparkle.
To make us dig out from under
crystallized patterns. To clear the palette.
To remind us we're not in control.
To awaken shoulders and ache backs,
make us look up from whatever we're doing,
bring us closer to clouds. To be
atmospheric, translucent, one of a kind.
To halt traffic, close schools, disturb reception, cancel
just about everything as we fall to earth,
flail our arms like wings, become
what we like to call snow angels,
enter stillness, melt.
April Addictions
anything that melts or intoxicates
dark chocolate, warm earth, red wine
anything that promises to unfold
daffodils, abilities, handwritten notes
being
those who find in themselves
greater pride and confidence as creators
being here
those who show their grade two students
how to turn cumulus clouds into concrete poems
being here breathing
those who step on stage for the first time
speaking their own words aloud
being here breathing, listening
those who understand creativity
cannot be legislated or corralled
being here breathing, listening, hoping
those who arrive with cartons of words,
dark laureates, poet chocolates
being here breathing, listening, hoping, grateful
anything that melts or intoxicates
anything that promises to unfold
Liz Zetlin, Owen Sound Poet Laureate 2007
February 2007
from Addictions of a Poet Laureate (Always Press)
available from zetlin@bmts.com
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