By Marilyn Jones, Schoolcraft’s Poet Laureate
The blizzard of ’78, my friend
Is one we’ll remember from beginning to end,
It all started late Wednesday night,
By Thursday morning it was really a sight!
It covered Indiana, Ohio and Michigan too
The snow literally buried Kalamazoo.
The winds gusted with a tremendous might
And created a world entirely white.
It closed up schools, factories and banks
People at home, warm and safe, gave thanks.
Looking outside, we said, “This can’t be!”
Our cars were covered and the swing in our tree.
Our doors wouldn’t open … they were drifted shut
The windows were covered, like living in a hut,
Some of us thought it was kind of fun
We baked, played games and prayed for some sun.
There were others, of course, that didn’t fare well
Stranded travelers will have some stories to tell.
Women had babies, some folks got sick,
Snowmobilers brought supplies over snow 3 ft. thick.
Have you ever waded through snow to your waist?
It’s kind of scary, you don’t go in haste.
You lift a foot then scoot it ahead,
Lose your balance and sink to your head.
Ski slopes were perfect but none could get there
Cross-country skiers got tickets, it didn’t seem fair,
The drifts, would you believe, were 12 ft. high!
We hoped no more white stuff came out of the sky.
On Saturday, the National Guard roared into town
And helicopter pilots were searching the ground,
The big machinery with all of their traction
Shoved all that snow – really went into action.
I’m sure that none of us will ever forget
The biggest blizzard we’ve ever had yet!
