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98 Icicles

98 Icicles

by Elmer

Rain sprinkled to freeze
on everything in view,
Ice hardened with ease
98 icicles grew,

Every tree was painted
until their branches broke,
Others leaned and fainted
even the Mighty Oak.

All power lines busted
darkness was the norm,
A necessity we trusted
had left with the storm,

Yet I felt a squeeze
knowing friends who shared,
They too like the trees
were broke yet still cared.

About this Poem

Joe Veley (aka Elmer) was born and raised in Kingston and comes from a family of 15. He fell in love with poetry as a young boy when his mom helped him write his first one for school. He loves to bowl, fish and camp. He also loves animals and listening to the sound of the rain. He find its very relaxing and therapeutic. He’s been married for 30 years, has two sons, two grandchildren and new one on the way in November 2022. He has been writing for years and has written several hundred poems and is now retired and can concentrate on writing. His love and passion has always been in writing.

About the Poetry Blackboard

The Poetry Blackboard showcases poems curated by Kingston's Poet Laureate and written by Kingston poets. There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston. Started in 2015 by Helen Humphreys, the Poetry Blackboard has been continued since 2019 by Jason Heroux.

We wish to thank Helen Humphreys, Kingston's second Poet Laureate, for her generous support of emerging and established poets in Kingston through library programming and our Poetry Blackboard project. Throughout her four years as Poet Laureate, Helen curated a digital collection of poetry to showcase the talents of local creators of all ages, both historic and contemporary. Helen also offered several opportunities for emerging poets to develop their craft, offering group workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Her active engagement with the library and community has been greatly appreciated.

In 2019 we welcomed the incoming Poet Laureate, Jason Heroux, who continues to curate the Poetry Blackboard and to develop new community programming.

Previously Published Poems