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
"When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels."
— Unknown
Memories of Snow
A Casualty of the First Snow

The branches of the magnolia tree in the yard could not withstand the weight of the snow.
Janis L Evans
© 2022 Janis Leslie Evans