I love living in Florida! I grew up in Cincinnati where it’s cold for what I think is too many months, where scraping the ice off the car was one of my least favorite things. 28 years ago, as soon as I graduated high school and was able to leave, I moved all the way to sunny Florida to attend college and have been here since. This is my ode to the place I call home…I actually started this poem in January and just finished it. =)

Sitting outdoors
on this January day
Feet up on a lounge chair
Sunglasses on

Blue skies
Cool breeze
Puffy clouds
Fall leaves on the ground

Horses grazing
Birds flying overhead
Children playing
Peaceful paradise

This is why
Florida is my home
everything around me
feeds my soul and brings joy

You can have
your ice and snow
frosted lawns
and snow covered drives

I will keep
my warm sunshine
bright blue skies
and flip flops in January

Bright green leaves
begin to bud on the trees
Spring will visit
for just a few days

The roasting summers
and humidity in the air
the buzzing mosquitos
in my ear

Are still no comparison
to those cold winter days
driveways to shovel
and reason to bundle

Summer always brings
Predictable rains
Make your outdoor plans
for early in the morning

Before too long
The weatherman exclaims
Here comes a hurricane
We’re ok. We know the drill.

Boarding up our homes
Stocking up the beer
Huddled inside
Waiting for the storm to clear

All in a days work
In good ol’ Florida
because tomorrow
It’s time for the beach!

Oh dear Florida
I love you so!

©Copyright Lisa Renshaw 2020