Northerners

We are a strange people
We in the north
Sitting on overturned buckets
To stare through holes in the ice
Wearing shorts in December
Along with parkas and scarves
Because fishing and shorts
Are for summer and we are
Defiant in the face of winter.
We in the north.

Brats grilled in January
Taste as good
As tailgating is fun
Regardless of windchill
Both worn like badges of honor

Bring on the snow!
We blow it, shovel it,
And shovel again when the plow goes by.
We clear our sidewalks,
Our driveways, and roofs.
If there is not enough snow
We make our own.
We play in it.
And celebrate it with festivals. 
Give us ice, we carve it.
We are northerners.