I'm leading a poetry workshop for young people aged 7-11 soon and they have asked for snow as a theme. I wanted to encourage some more ambitious writing and avoid too many of the clichés often associated with this subject. I thought I might use the following lines to encourage discussion about when and where their poems may be set and from what point of view the landscape may be onseved. I would welcome any ideas you may have, people have always been very constructive in the past when I have made similar requests.

moonlight on white snow settled
in soft  silvery silence
fresh footsteps show in the glow
animals shelter in cosy homes
beneath branches crystal encrusted

who then has left their trail?
on this pristine path of piping
as though iced across a cake
for a giant’s birthday surprise

the feet fall deep into drifts
under a great burden
progress slow through heavy snow
a hard journey undertaken

further flakes fall from far above
swirl and skirmish like swallows
settle and smooth the surface
 a blanket for the sleeping wood