Vermont in Winter

West on the MassPike to Route 7, north past Greylock,
Massachusetts' highest peak, then into Vermont
Through Bennington to the valley between
Equinox and Stratton Mts., turning into Manchester Center.

Stopping at the Inn at Manchester, a handsome 1880s
Wooden mansion, with fireplace suites, and antique furnishings.
Next day, an expedition north on Route 100
To Weston's Vermont Country Store.

Where it is said, you cannot spend less than two hours
Or less than $100; we made both goals easily.
Up to Okemo in Ludlow, a major ski area,
To watch the skiers coming downhill, and riding the lifts.

Sampling the outlets in Manchester Center:
Woodcraft -- excellent, Ann Taylor -- good,
Dansk -- good, Orvis and Ralph Lauren -- laughable,
Kitchen Supply -- anything your heart desires.

Next day to Southern Vermont Art Center;
Museum closed, gallery featuring local artists.
Bought a print of the winter scene.
Lunch at The Equinox, for a touch of luxury.

Stopped at Pownal Center on the way back,
Where Barbara spent the summer in 1950,
With fellow artists from the Art Students League of New York,
Painting the mountain vistas, and exploring the area.

Alas, the town is now poor, drab, and miserable.
Route 7 has been relocated, so the main street dead ends.
The boarding house is a derelict, with boarded up windows.
The church meets in a tiny senior center for the winter.

Pownal is a microcosm of the rural poor in the Northeast.
The height of luxury is a neatly kept double-wide.
Trailers are jammed together in a small park.
The roads are narrow, pitted, and crumbling.

On to Williamstown to visit the Clark Art Center.
Took many, many photographs of Vermont in winter,
Deep snow, stark and beautiful,
And close-ups of paintings in the art centers.

Returned along Route 2, the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts,
Displaying fabulous views of Green Mountains to the north,
And winding through gorges along the Deerfield River,
Looks like a paradise for camping and fly fishing.