Minnesota Man Dies

 A man has died, a thousand miles from where my children play, their laughter ringing through the house, their dancing shaking the walls. A man- a husband, a father, a friend- who lived his life in service to others, will not wake up tomorrow. His clothes will hang in a dark closet, until they can be faced by his widow. This death, like his life, will so quickly be forgotten, but tonight I cannot breathe through the sobs. 

ICE

An ice storm is coming, 

they tell me, 

and so I prepare:

water, 

shelter, 

blankets, 

food.

I cover delicate flowers, 

shielding them 

from a brutal reality- 

a cold 

they have never 

needed to know.

Ice is coming, 

they tell me, 

and so I prepare:

water,

shelter,

blankets,

food.

I wrap faucets 

and pool equipment 

in comforters, 

I lug planters 

inside the garage.

Ice is on the streets, 

they tell me, 

and so I prepare:

water,

shelter,

blankets, 

food.

I hide my children, 

covering their eyes 

so they do not hear 

the screams.