December 28, 2015                                                                                                                                                                  
Ice invades before we believe it.
Demagogue of cities, freeway assassin,
Norse giant Ymir has his way with poles
splinters pin oaks to stumps, shakes power
lines in a frenetic roadside dance.          
On television, heads swathed in wool
mumble through numb lips: avoid travel,
skip work. Check battery, carry blankets
just in case. Roads impassable, idiots
notwithstanding. I find a pot for pea soup,
regret onions not purchased at market,
counting on luck like tow truck
operators who had gassed up
their rigs, joyful and ready.