It's a week early but the neighbors
have made an effigy of Old Man Winter
and already their bonfire is sending showers
of sparks high in the air
swirling above the flames bright orange
against the black night sky
a dozen youngsters cluster in the yard
to watch as Old Man Winter burns
while in the house there's cooking
they are here to join
in the pre-Lenten feast
this northern Mardi Gras
that speaks more of its pagan roots
than any Christian faith
and though we've said goodbye
to Old Man Winter
by the look of things
he's not about fold his tents
and leave the field
to spring anytime soon

meanwhile the day was full of snow flurries
and it looks like spring is still far
in the offing