Brrrr…I hope you are staying warm wherever you are. For once, I may actually have enough snow. We’ve had three snowstorms in the past two weeks. Usually all the snow melts before the next one falls, but not this time.

I am taking part in Laura Shovan’s February Daily Poem Project, and so far have written a poem every day. The prompts on the theme of bodies have been incredible and the poems written in response even more so. This poem came from the prompt offered by Donna Smith, a squiggle (an illustration that she draws from a black squiggle line). This illustration showed a mitten-covered hand adding a carrot nose to a snowman. It seems appropriate for this week’s weather.

How to Be a Snowman

Start with a squiggle of snow
and hope someone
will roll your body into balls.
Shiver.
Stand tall under a top hat.
Stare straight ahead.
Shiver some more.
Try not to sneeze
when a mittened hand
tickles your carrot nose.

Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Ruth hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken place. She invites everyone to leave a fact that is a poem. She will round them up into a poem along with the links to more poetry. Hurry  over and check out all the poetry morsels offered up today.

36 Comments on Poetry Friday: How to Be a Snowman

  1. Kay, your poem reminds me of Elaine Magliaro’s poem ‘How To Make A Morning’ in its list like structure. You have done the snowman proud. A strong appeal to imagery. This is what comes when we draw from the world we find ourselves in at any particular time.

  2. Such a sweet poem, Kay! It’s lways good to ‘try not to sneeze’ – snowman or human – in our present covid times! Ha! Sending you warm thoughts and best wishes for a bit of a break from the snowstorms. 🙂

  3. I like your nod to Donna’s squiggles, and (like so many others) your effective use of alliteration! Great job thinking like a snowman! (Who knew they might sneeze!>!)

  4. Kay, I love the alliteration here. I felt shivery reading – which is quite a feat given I’m in the midst of summer. Thank you.

  5. Such a fun poem, Kay. Like Laura said above, I see the snowman standing tall and staring straight ahead as an effort to keep his secret. Thanks (and brrr)!

  6. This poem is adorable. I love the idea that the snowman must remind itself to stare straight ahead and NOT sneeze to give away its secret!

  7. I love the poem, Kay, when I read it first & today, too. We did have snow but it’s melting fast, a little more coming tomorrow, but the warmth is coming early next week! Thanks for sharing again!

  8. What fun & games, dear Kay!. I love your brand new to me thought, of what happens when a snow creature sneezes. Happy snow days to all comfortable with heat inside, but surrounded by the fluffy stuff, from snowless Florida.
    Jan/Bookseedstudio

  9. Kay, I am glad that you shared your delightful poem that children will enjoy (I certainly did). I can see children like my little Sierra acting out your poem and having fun with the ending. Stay warm.

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