tribute to the snow *PIC heavy*

“The best thing about snow, other than snowballs, is that it has an equalizing effect. Snow can take any object or situation and make it pretty just the same. Couldn’t care less what’s underneath… It’s not just that snow makes the world pretty, snow gives us all a second chance, snow cleanses, hiding the sins of all with no prejudices, favor or blame. Everything gets to be pure again, if only for a little while, which might be all you need.” ~Everwood

When I woke up this morning, I found myself cursing the snow. I even gave thought to writing an entry here about how snow can have different effects on peoples moods depending upon the time of year. My premise was to be something to the effect of the following: snow before the first of the year brings to mind nostalgic memories of sledding and snow forts. Tunes tributing the snow come to mind: “White Christmas,” “Let it Snow,” and, my personal favorite, “Winter Wonderland.” After the first of the year, (unless you’re an elementary or secondary school student), snow is a nuisance. All it does is make it harder for you to go where you need to go and do what you need to do. The thought briefly crossed my mind that the library may not even be open. (A thought quickly put out of mind when I thought, ‘But this is HOPKINS. Of COURSE the library will be open!’)

But then, I walked outside. And my breath was just about taken away. I was very glad that I had thought to slip my camera into my tote bag and pulled it out to snap a few pictures along my walk to the library. Upon arriving at the library, I saw several students on the “beach” building a snow fort–something I’ve not done since the Blizzard of ’96.

I found myself wishing I didn’t have so much work to do and could just relish in the beauty of the world. I contemplated taking a walk around campus and snapping more pictures of the snow-covered buildings. But alas, I had too much work to do. Perhaps the snow-inspired carols didn’t come to mind, but I was overcome with a feeling of being younger than my age–of wanting to simply have no cares in the world and be able to build a snowman, or go sledding, or just flop myself down upon the snow covered ground and make an angel. I was reminded, despite my grumblings of this morning, that yes, snow really can be beautiful.

a poem i wrote over two years ago:

Snowy Dream

clean and pure
gleaming allure
sparkles and glistens
no need to listen
’cause snowflakes are falling
and no one is calling
deafening silence
radiant brilliance
close my eyes
wait for moonrise
raise my chin
breathe it in

I look out upon the coating even
and think to myself this must be heaven

click here to see more pics of today 🙂

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