Terrible deep the horrible snow
A Hedgehog Song
by Doug McLeod
Terrible deep the snow is
Deeper than ever we saw
Nestled together we pray for warm weather,
Waiting for winter to thaw.
Were I a swallow I’d happily follow
All of my friends as they fly
Off in formations to southern locations
Delightfully sunny and dry.
Here in the forest it’s twenty below,
Shivery blizzards persistently blow
Making you freeze from your top to your toe.
Terrible deep, the horrible snow
Terrible deep the snow is,
Wish I could sleep like a log.
Snoozing and snoring, while possibly boring,
Is better than flurries and fog.
Happily dreaming till sunlight starts gleaming
I wouldn’t wake up till the spring –
I envy them dearly, who hibernate yearly –
For winter’s a terrible thing.
Summer is fast but the winter is slow
Icicles form and the rivers won’t flow,
Birds by the million left ages ago
Terrible deep, the horrible snow.
Longer and colder the winter nights grow
How we survive it we really don’t know
Nothing to eat but the acorns we stow
Terrible deep, the horrible snow.
A rollicking ride by one of my favourite writers from childhood. Great to see you back on the poetry train, Doug. Now I have to dig up your books for my kids.
A brilliant poem, Doug. One of your best.
I like this poem / song a lot. I am guessing it would sound wonderful with music and sung as a children’s song.