Crack the ice undo the strain

Break the freeze uncork the vein.

The boom goes up the waters churn

The freighted strait flows free again

Crack the ice, bring catkins, too.

the sap ascends through Buffalo.

Carry a sack, do our streets a favor

pick up the trash and meet your neighbor.

Take your chance on a chunk of ice,

put down the rings, the wings & spice,

dance atop the lumber littoral

(on Niagara Street there is no toll!)

Float your dreams over standing waves

feel waters trickle across this page,

tune your ears to equinoctial pitch

and let the mud return to every ditch.

Let the mud return and our feet go bare

lick the icicles in sweet Daphne’s hair

Break the jam uncork the vein --

The freighted straight flows free again!