White frosting on the ground,
icing on the trees as well.
Cold air nips at noses,
wool capped walkers lean into wind.
Skaters glide clockwise
round Boston’s frozen Frog Pond.
Brightly colored mittened hands
wave happily to friends.
Old North’s bells chime
as they did in Paul Revere’s day.
Her white steeple towers proudly
over festively garlanded gates.
Mrs. Martignetti and son
sit in Modern Pastry Shop.
Chat and warm their hands
over cappuccino filled coffee cups.
Oh yes, it’s true.
Everyone admits it.
Old Man Winter is definitely here.
NOTE: The line about Mrs. Martignetti and son is dedicated to Anthony Martignetti. Anthony came to the U.S. as a 9-year old. He became famous when, as a 12-year old Italian immigrant, he ran through Boston’s North End in a television commercial for Prince spaghetti, as his mother yelled “Anthony!” The commercial first aired in 1969 and ran for 14 years making him a local and national celebrity. See short video below of the commercial and its history.
lillian the home poet 
Lovelovelove the poem. And lovelovelove the commercial tribute to that boy/man. RIP. Thanks for sharing. xo
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Felt a warm wintry glow reading this! 🙂
Pax,
Dora
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You reading of this was cheery, but the words themselves radiate positive and festive vibes. It was so nice to hear, to feel something that leaves a smile in its wake.
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That is such an atmospheric poem, I mean full, bursting with atmosphere. I enjoyed the reading very much..
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This is great, and even included “Anthony”. I wonder, is the clockwise skating a written or an unwritten rule. I ask because it seems the unwritten norm is counterclockwise everywhere I’ve skated.
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I enjoyed hearing you read this today, Lillian. A heart-warming slice of Americana.
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A picture of the season. This was my favorite stanza before I even read about the backstory.
Mrs. Martignetti and son
sit in Modern Pastry Shop.
Chat and warm their hands
over cappuccino filled coffee cups.
Thanks for sharing the local history.
Stay warm and well.
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wonderful bit of history in your seasonal words (K)
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I love this. I remember the commercials. Can’t say I miss living in Boston but I do miss Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market and great Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. where I worked at Mass Rehab.
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This is gorgeously worded, Lillian 😀 I really enjoyed learning about “Old North’s bells,” from you during the LIVE session. 💝💝
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Ah that sure sign of winter: cold hands wrapped around a warm mug.
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All the feels here! 😍 ☕
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Beautiful Lillian. Wraps around one like a bright, colorful winter quilt. Your reading of it today was superb my friend, and being able to embrace the words makes it brilliantly three dimensionally alive? So well written!
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Warm Wishes. Luv your welcome of old man winter, who never ☺visits our hot Caribbean clime
much💜love
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I love the scene you paint here, Lillian: I really felt like I was in it!
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It was lovely to hear you read this, Lillian. Such a cosy poem! It gave me the festive feels 🙂
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So good to enjoy winter through your words! Our winters are cold but it doesn’t snow.
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It was wonderful to hear you read this atmospheric poem. I’ve visited the spots you mention, and of course, I know the history.
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I had of course never seen the commercial, but it is a wonderful tribute and so great for the season.
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