Snow In Black and White

Last night, at about 6:30, school was cancelled and then, shortly thereafter, snow arrived in Greensboro. The ground has been so cold that the snow stuck without hesitation. The above photo shows a car, creeping along a Greensboro side road, trying to get home. The flakes were glittering and looking like they would be perfect for sled riding.

The night snow reminded us of a poem by Robert Watson--  who arrived to teach English at UNCG in 1953. Dr. Watson said he was attracted to Greensboro because he liked the "heartening balance between the scholarly and the creative in English studies" (p. 112).*  We think his poem, below, captures the scholarly and the creative--  as well as the spirit of the above photo (or vice versa).

 

                                    Winter Lovers by Robert Watson

                Hesitant we stand by a sled at the top of the hill

                Our eyes measuring down white lamp and star lit road,

                Down beyond the road's end to the back of black woods,

                Then up to an equally black sky, yet interspersed with stars.

                Here the white is gathered and up there dispersed.

                Stopped measuring, our eyes swerve to each other,

                And we each see circular black with white around.

 

                I pull our sled some steps more up, then running throw

                It on the ice, myself on top, and she in its sliding past

                Flings herself on my back, arms around my neck.

                And so on runners over ice and snow we lovers

                Of simple black and white hurtle through our nights,

                Avoiding black, holding on to white; we never look to left or 

                           right.

 

May your weathering of the present storm be equally poetic.

 

*poets of North Carolina by Richard Walser. Poem, p. 114.

Comments

[William Kendall]

I imagine snow tires there are a rarity.

[Greensboro Daily Photo]

@ William: Indeed, snow tires are rare. Forget chains. We do have all wheel drive vehicles!