I'll try to put myself
inside the head
of a friend
from Viet Nam,
who lives in
Miami and Naples
when she comes to
Grand Haven
or Traverse City
during a winter
in West Michigan
to experience
for the first time
snow crystals
falling on her face
and how wind chill
feels on her skin
when the temperature
is eight below zero
and the wind is
blowing at twenty-four
miles per hour
gusting to thirty
and the stubborn
overcast has persisted
for nearly five weeks.
Then if she
stays a few days
and is patient
enough to listen
while dressed
in flannel and fleece
I will lift up the
handy mitten map
of Lower Michigan
conveniently located
at the end
of my left arm
and proceed
to explain
"Lake Effect" snow
as she's reaching
into her purse
to check the
departure time
of her
return flight.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
