The Magical Formations of Snowflakes Poem

A creative writer at heart, Janis was first published at age 11. Most of her poems express core issues of love, loss, trauma, and healing.

“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”

— Aristotle

Snowflakes Glisten in the Sun

The Magic and Peril of Winter

Winter can be a magical time of the year punctuated by ice storms, traffic jams, and feet of crippling snow. As I am born and raised in Buffalo, New York, a city best known for its impactful lake effect snows, I'm very aware of the magic and the doom of winter. I remember the joy of playing outside, looking up at the falling snowflakes and the painful sensation of frostbitten toes from staying out too long.

When our fellow writer and poet, Brenda Arledge, gave the writing community members "snowflake" as a word prompt, my muse was excited. I had just taken pictures of the snow in my yard in Washington, DC. The area had been hit with its first major snowstorm in years, so it was a big deal and visually captivating. People in the mid-Atlantic and East Coast posted their photos all day on social media, amazed at the amounts and beauty of the pristine snow.

Similar to my Buffalo experience, the beauty of winter recently gave us who live in the Washington area stunning images of snowflakes falling fast and accumulating rapidly. But the amount of snow left residents and drivers paralyzed, particularly those who were stuck on the major highway, Interstate I-95, for over 24 hours in their cold vehicles. It was a nightmare that reminded us of how the image of magical snowflakes can turn quickly into a reality of treacherous conditions.

In my poem, "Snowflake Formations," I focus on the beauty and magic of what snowflakes can do and less on the dark side, and how despite the downside of heavy snow, we do look forward to that first snowfall as the seasons cycle back around each year.

"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!"

— Unknown

Snowy Tree Branches

A Winter Poem

"Snowflake Formations"

Glistening brightly in the light

Reflecting from the sun

Blowing, piling, forming drifts

Snowflakes have begun

Falling lightly in the night

Twinkling in the sky

An evening snow so beautiful

Causes one to sigh

Packing tightly snowballs form

Inside child's little hand

One by one with each snowflake

Where will that snowball land

Dancing slightly in the wind

Each snowflake finds its way

Descending they prepare to land

On the ground they lay

Swirling mightily in the breeze

Launched in the atmosphere

Down they go to catch a tongue

Chilled by cold, crisp air

Sticking rightly on the grass

Millions become one

Creates a smooth white blanket

For children to have fun

Melting swiftly as it warms

Enchantment disappears

Big snowbanks become smaller

The beauty starts to wear

Holding closely memories

As season's end is near

Sights of clumping snowflakes

Will cycle back next year

JLE 2022

A Casualty of the First Snow

"When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels."

— Unknown

Memories of Snow

© 2022 Janis Leslie Evans