Caught in the snow

My first real attempt at something "Canadian" -- for the Cafe'

It was the day before
"White Juan" rolled in --
the calm before the
nor'easter, the locals knew,
unimpressed by the denials
of the brilliant February sun.

On tourist sidewalks
I stumbled upon an amazing place,
a museum by name and number 21.
felt the presence of the past,
walked the pier; shed a tear
for the immigrants who landed here --

I never worried about the weather,
nestled comfortably in down
at the Waverley,
in a room down the hall
where Oscar Wilde
was once the Belle of the ball.

The next morning the city was still
trapped under a blanket
of 3 feet of snow --
so many things
I did not get to see,
but so glad I got a glimpse of history.

Author's Note

White Juan - Atlantic blizzard Feb 2004
Pier 21 - historic immigrant landing pier in Halifax
Waverley - historic Halifax hotel -- formerly a brothel frequented by Oscar Wilde

Reviews

[Kenneth The Poet]

All I can say is this: a snapshot in time.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, very much, I was glad to have been there.

[Paul Bell]

He was quite a guy our Oscar. I take it there were gays in this brothel, cos i'm sure he done time in England for homosexually. You do get the snow in your fine country though. We get two inches of the white stuff, and we all go home.

[Lyn Anderson]

The snow on the East coast can be quite ferocious at times. I have no idea what the makeup of the Waverley was, but it was a place where Oscar Wilde felt at home.

[Papaya]

I've been to those spots. Halifax used to be like a second home to me, I was at least once a month for about three years.

Somewhere on the East Coast will likely be where I retire. I love it there.
Especially Cape Breton.

Nice little bit of Canadiana here.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I appreciate it. It was pretty amazing to be there for the storm of the century.

[Papaya]

Yes. That was a good one... :)
You're welcome.

[J. K. Beach]

Wonderful job capturing a moment in time and how you felt within it... lovely cadence and flow as well.

[Lyn Anderson]

Aww thanks it was an amazing bit of history a horrible storm but no human casualties.

[Anne Timmins]

Your language and phrasing are exceptional. Very well done!!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you. I am glad I was there.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the history before and after the great snowfall which covers many things, but it cannot cover up history...history will always be there...and there is always a calm before a storm.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes. And I highly recommend a visit to Halifax and the Canadian East Coast in general. A lot of exciting history and natural beauty.

[Pryde Foltz]

The next morning the city was still
trapped under a blanket
of 3 feet of snow --
so many things
I did not get to see,
but so glad I got a glimpse of history.

There is a magic that snow delivers. This Canuck loved this Canadiana.

[Lyn Anderson]

Great. I got a few more cooking in the pot. It was a challenge set to me by Sami and Thomas Fitgerald a while back, and inspired by Steve. (Kublakhan)

[Pryde Foltz]

Love them all. Steve is another great Canadian writer on here.

[wordman]

well it all worked out for the better and left memories as well

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, that is true. Shovelling snow and helping out at the hotel -- it was a truly remarkable experience.

[wordman]

well I enjoyed the trip

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow I love to visit anything that reeks of history… what a brilliant piece of writing, you painted images with your words that if it was a painting would hang in a gallery.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks so much. Halifax is a really amazing place. I will definitely go back there, although I wouldn't normally recommend the winter, lol.

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

You are very welcome, sounds like I would like to see it one day.

[Matching Socks]

Wonderful! I used to travel to Halifax on business frequently.
Lots of history. Lots of ghosts.
Lots of drinks. Sociable!

[Lyn Anderson]

I am so glad you liked. I found this a challenge, for sure, to get it just right.

[Matching Socks]

Did a great job!