© Willow Songs 2006
An icy wind blows down
From the mountains
As winter takes its hold
And windows are shut,
And fires are lit
To keep at bay the cold
It’s quiet in the town just now
The cafes and hotels partly closed
A far cry you might say
From those long summer days
When the visitors
Came in their droves
Ah, but such repose
Short lived shall be
Just as soon as the snow comes down
When in a colourful blaze,
With their spirits well raised
The skiers arrive in the town
The streets will be
Full of life once again
The smell of gluwein in the air
Time to drink and to feast
And talk of the piste
The skill of each other compared
But for now let us rest
To ourselves have
The mountains and the town
Bask in the peace
Till the wind blows nor’ east
And snow comes tumbling down
Alpine Town (Pre-
(Chris J Canning -
This poem was written whilst Lizzy and I lived in Pano Platres, Cyprus, during 1990 to 92. The village is situated on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains at an altitude of approximately 1200 metres. Although officially below the snow line, Platres gets its fair share of snow throughout the winter months. After the quiet of the autumn the village can become busy again when the skiing season gets underway up on the Mount Olympus slopes.