drop pair of cold titanium frames
on fresh powder in front of feet;
thrust lightweight poles within reach,
stuck together upright in deep fluff.
flex body forward in layered clothing,
balance on one leg, insert opposite boot,
clicking two buckle mechanisms till tight;
repeat; grip pole handles with fat mittens.
nippy south wind awakens indoor face,
pricks exposed cheeks below nordic cap,
breath quickly dampening fuzzy scarf.
turn deliberately toward western grove;
reaching forward, outward with poles to
navigate between scruffy garden shrubs,
crampons biting to grip frozen ridges
of tilled earth underneath winter cloak.
tramping unique imprint on landscape,
poles squeak slightly as baskets turn
when piercing frozen drift, snowshoes
crunch if climbing crusty layers of base.
brush past rustling spruce, spill snow;
circumvent unexpected fallen branch to
continue making trail: shush-shush-shush
pause, listen to palpable sound of silence.
_____________________
*written for d’verse “blind poet” prompt:
while i wouldn’t want to snowshoe blindfolded,
i did attempt to write this using other senses
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 16, 2014 @ 18:08:35
Good description of the feelings one has when alone in a winter landscape. Nicely done.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 23:43:22
you make this real, temperature on your skin and the flavour of snow
Mar 15, 2014 @ 23:06:45
I;m not a snow-sport person but just reading this felt so refreshing. I do love the silence that surrounds us after a good snow storm–it’s almost magical as your poem is.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 17:51:38
cool. btw, if you like snow writing, check out Leslie Anthony @docleslie – brilliant writer. ~
Mar 15, 2014 @ 17:49:19
I’ve not experienced skiing either, but the quiet of the snow, yes, and have to say the old song “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel popped into my mind immediately 😉
Mar 15, 2014 @ 14:17:49
I used to cross-country ski when I was younger, in New England one must find ways to actually enjoy all those months of cold and snow. I loved the sounds of snow crunching under the skis, and other sounds like the wind whispering among naked branches, trees creaking and settling from the cold. There is a peace that comes from being in the woods like that. I imagine a blind snowshoer would need a sighted partner as a guide though. Loved your story here.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 09:10:54
oh nice… i love being out in the snow…nature… never tried snowshoeing but def. on my list – i love snowboarding… feels a bit like flying…smiles
Mar 15, 2014 @ 04:08:51
Sounds pretty great to me. I’ve spent a lot of the last winter cross country skiing and you capture that balance of equipment and freedom. Thanks. K.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 03:27:16
what a neat way of ‘sensing’ snowshoeing! Very cool.
Mar 15, 2014 @ 02:50:20
i caught a lot of your sound in this…
i used to ski when i was younger…after messing my legs up at the end of high school it was never the same…too much a beating…ha….
Mar 15, 2014 @ 00:08:06
while I’ve never experienced the thrill or rush of skiing…but the silence sounds quite peaceful and amazing. lovely piece.