Winter in Florida

Snowboots optional

It’s Winter in Florida, odd as it seems,

Not the snow covered landscape I see in my dreams.

No, it’s sunny and bright and the beach is inviting,

so here I am tanning and lounging and writing.

But I do miss the north, where I’m from, in this season.

I miss the first snow; that’s just one of the reasons.

I miss getting cozy beside a lit fire,

drinking cocoa or egg nog, a warming desire.

I miss getting bundled up, layers galore.

Is six scarves too many? Perhaps just one more.

I miss the brisk air, how it feels on my cheeks     

I miss seeing small clouds when anyone speaks.

Yes, I miss it...for two or three days at a time,

The memories are sweet and the vision, sublime,

But the actual cold? I don’t miss it at all. 

And to tell you the truth, well, I barely miss Fall.

No, it didn’t take long to get hooked on the sun

and the constant warm weather and tropical fun.

I thought I’d miss Autumn and Winter and Spring,

the changing of seasons, but see, here’s the thing.

I like to be comfortable and now that means beachy

Sunscreen and tank tops, to me they’re just peachy.

See, it doesn’t take much to make me a glad man – 

a martini, a Speedo and a really good tan.  

“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” 

– Victor Hugo