not what it used to be

it's too warm,

too bright, too unmerry,

this

weather,

this sunlight.

i'm in my shorts and tropical

shirt

with bananas

and coconuts all over

the teal

blue polyester.

my ray bans on tight.

i'm sitting

in the yard wondering

where the snow is

while i eat a slice

of mince meat pie.

where is the wind

and ice,

the sleet of my youth?

where are the plows,

the sand

and salt trucks.

where are the snow bal

fights?

the holidays are not what

they used to

be,

but what is?