Winter's chill comes with clawing cold
Freezing the bones of young and old
Snowfall settles in silent night
Earth is shrouded, covered in white.

Children stay home, teachers close schools
Ducks are dying on frozen pools
Roads and ways blocked, journeys delayed
Struggle through drifts with shovel or spade.

Ground too frozen for digging grave
Coffins waiting in church's nave
Near candle's flame mourners huddle
Breaking hips on frozen puddle.

Water pipes burst in home and street
Then on doorstep, the plumber greet
Pleased to attend with urgency
Charges more for emergency.

I know children enjoy the play
Building snowmen throughout the day
Then roll up for their snowball fight
Cry with chilblains throughout the night.

Wintering plants wither and die
With Icy winds, bring tears to eye
Keep your winter, your cough and sneeze
Hasten return the warm spring breeze.