On Notice

There's a reason why antagonists are
portrayed to reflect the regard in which they
are  held in popular opinion. As a northern
people we absorb the lessons of intimacy
with nature welcoming the inevitable. In
that respect the seasons' arrival at nature's
designated times are accepted and celebrated.
Each of the seasons has their purpose and
becomes a welcomed presence. Only Old Man
Winter seems predisposed to overstay his
welcome. On arrival we rejoice and indulge
in a multitude of leisure pursuits geared to
advantaging the presence of cold, wind and
snow, exulting in the beauty surrounding us
and the invitation to make use of the lofty
white coverlet that puts the land to rest. The
indulgences of  winter comfort wear thin
however as time moves forward leaving us
less bewitched by cold, ice and raging winds
when the arrival of spring lifts our spirits
and we yearn for the sight of verdant fields
and forests to replace the presence of snow
grimed by age and atmosphere. Winter placed
on notice of evacuation can be a hard sell
and nothing seems to please the departing
season quite so much as lingering cold and 
snowfalls topping up the vanishing snowpack.
While winter grudgingly packs up his baggage
of ice, snarling wind and freezing temperature
he leaves a parting message: I'll be back.