Falling to Zero

No, it hasn't snowed in Ohio ... not yet. But the temperatures did drop overnight here ... to a delicious, blanket-clutching briskness somewhere in the fifties overnight ... and when I woke up, feeling rested and a bit chilly, today's poem came to mind.

It had been one of those days. The snow had finally stopped, and, although we had no particular place to go that day, it seemed a good idea to clear the driveway, in case we did need to get out.

It was one of those heavy, wet snows which follows freezing rain. Deep. Too deep for our small snow blower to be very effective. Too heavy for piling many shovels full beside the driveway before pausing to catch our breaths.

Yes, I had help. Thank goodness, I had help.

And it was good to have company that evening as visions of all that ice and snow swept over us ... and we simply closed our eyes and enjoyed the fire.

Originally published in Capper's, now part of a manuscript in search of a publisher:

FALLING TO ZERO

We’ve spent the day

shoveling the drive,

freeing all those

ice-encrusted bricks

we’d carefully laid

in the steamiest

of months. The car

is fueled, waiting

for just the turn

of the key,

while the mercury

falls rapidly

to nothing, maybe

less. But we won’t

be going out; we’re

sitting, roasting

our shins while

the fire crackles

and leaps.

© 2001

***

Today's word: shoveling

Afterthoughts ... in response to your comments:

Thank you, Sue, for that warm response to the poem ... and the photo. I'm glad you enjoyed both. And Kettering, Ohio! That makes us neighbors, practically ... what a great surprise! You've no doubt heard of Dayton, where Brimm Manor is located. As a matter of fact, you may already have seen The Little Red Car, of "Squiggles & Giggles" fame, bouncing along, trying to stay out of trouble.

Good luck, Helen, as you keep an eye on Gustav to see what he's going to do. I would imagine that I would miss the "changing of the guard" as the seasons come and go ... if I were living in Florida ... but I would definitely NOT miss the shoveling that comes with winter weather in Ohio. And Massachusetts? I can just imagine that a much larger wintertime shovel would be required there.