January Thaw (haibun)

We’ve had an old-fashioned winter in Ontario, a

welcome and dramatic change from the ongoing effects

of global warming. We had the most snowfall in sixty

years in December. The daily temperature has remained

below freezing for over six weeks, and the snow has 

continued to accumulate.

Chase running

through snow tunnels

twice his height

Yesterday we entered another old-fashioned winter

tradition, the January thaw. The temperature has

climbed well above freezing, an increase of over 30

degrees Celsius within 24 hours. The snow is rapidly

melting and filling the air with water vapour.

On our daily walk to the boat launch, clouds swept

along the Crowe River. Chase and I slipped along the

icy path to stand at our usual spot on the dam:

floating 

among clouds

on the Marmora dam

false spring

but my heart

doesn’t care

      * * *

snow drifts by sumacs

shivering by the outhouse

awaiting summer

by Warren Fraser

(my former neighbour at my ZenRiver retreat in the hamlet of Malone)  

                            ~   ~    ~

This haibun is from my 2008 book ZenRiver: Poems & Haibun, Hidden Brook Press

Today it's another old-fashioned snowy day, with snow banks piled several feet high along my driveway. I just felt like reminiscing. 

*Chase was my shitzu/cocker cross constant companion from 2006 - 2015