Produced by Maine Poetry Central and Dennis Camire

This week’s poem by Michalene Hague of Otisfield playfully explores how the challenging weather of Maine often, in turn, challenges us to dress fashionably.

Yankee Wardrobe

By Michalene Hague

Gloves on in October are gloves off in April;

our hands say it’s due to steering wheel chill.

Hats on in November are hats doffed in May,

though some folks don no hats any day.

Coats hugging December choose cool jackets in June;

ski sweaters and slippers give the cold month its boon.

Mukluks trudging through Jan/February snows

become galoshes in the sloshes that every March grows.

September’s new sneakers and its dress-up flats

switch from the sandals and flip-flops for July’s chats.

Most Augusts run barefoot in skimpy, damp clothes,

but the bare-skin season comes quickly to a close.

Then we’ll bundle and trundle from our climate’s closet,

draping head to toe with what warm item does it.

Where can we find pairs of wool-blend pants?

Or some flannel-lined denims, by any chance?

Designers ignore our northern dress plights,

for Fahrenheit shifts are not fashion’s delights!

So, silk scarves for holidays, fleece mufflers for slopes,

grace necklines that quiver with our seasonal hopes.

Yes, New England weather creates challenges to meet;

how we wear those challenges is our stylistic feat!

Dennis Camire can be reached at [email protected]