The Snow Storm ("The sky like a winter clad lady")

The sky like a winter clad lady has put on a “cloud”
Wrapping her head up as we might look out for snow
The dead wools lift skeleton players & beg for a shroud
The winds are whistling their dogs up to start for a blow.

Over head lay a notion just now to lie low and keep dark
Or like the good sons of old Noah lying bare seeing earth
After having all summer been out on a regular lark
It’s just backing down with a blanket to throw her there.

Though winter’s no coward the feathers he shows us are white
Though his heart may be warm his “fleece” is wrapped by chill
His snow crystals strike you as fine, not a doubt, but they smite
All the sharper for being so fine, when the wind rakes the hill.

Whew, ???! by this emerging north wind taking forth the cold!
Deal again Madame Nature, get a lift with this hand you’ll never
Just give us your story hot-press’d and while manifold drift
The plot in Spring search not Winter we’ll follow a ????