I like snowflakes.
They look like they should be warm and soft and you touch them and
they're gone.
You were too warm.
They were unprepared.
They weren't ready for your incredible heat,
your incredible power.
You touch them 
and they disappear.

I like snowflakes,
but especially when they land on people's pom pom hats 
knit by their grandmothers
or themselves
and when they rest on people's eyelashes and hair.
I like them because they're temporary and 
you can only stare at them for so long,
then they sink into the hair or the hats or the eyelashes and you can't enjoy them anymore.

I like snowflakes,
especially when they land on you,
because it gives me an excuse to stare.

Hi, I'm Iris! (eyesofIris here on YWP.) I am starting a YWP podcast and I'm looking for writers to collaborate with. Here's how it works: you read one of your poems, and then we talk about the inspiration behind it, what it means, an overall analysis -- and we make a podcast! I think that it will be a really fun way to learn more about YWPers and their writing. Let me know if you're interested!

Mindy Wong brings her creative nonfiction workshop to Winooski Memorial Library on March 16! Teen writers, join Mindy in exploring your sense of self and how that can be translated into words. It's free! But please sign up!

Erika Brown, a senior Professional Writing major at Champlain College, is seeking young writers to submit personal essays or fiction about how communities are affected by climate change (500 word max) for an anthology of writing. Due: Feb. 29. Find out more here.