The seamless, murky skies and frozen streets
Bring hope to children
As they eat fruit loops in front of the TV
School closings scroll across the screen.
Delayed. Closed. Closed. Delayed. Closed.
Grand Rapids Public Schools closed.
Children across the city throw up their hands and cheer
?Mom, Dad, Schools closed. Can I go out and Play??
Strung through sleeves with yarn
A leash for potentially lost mittens
Brightly colored crocheted hats create staticky hair,
Matching scarves conceal the faces.
Bulky jackets zipped and buttoned over bulkier snow pants
Making children walk like penguins
Weather warranting two pairs of socks and velcro?d moon boots
With rubber soles allowing a child to grow instantly
Children scurry through their doors,
Bundled up in armor against
The bitter cold and attacking wind.
They lie in the infinite snow and swing their arms and legs
Pushing it aside creating angel shaped dents
A menagerie of snow people taller than their creators
Scattered across the city
Snow forts and snow banks for hiding and climbing
For declaring oneself, king or something or other.
The cold becomes unbearable
And the TV news warns moms
Of the plummeting wind chill
And numbing, burning cold
Children dash back into the house
Stomping the snow off their boots
Tossing their hats, their scarves, and coats by the door
Unbuckle their snow pants and set them aside.
Knowing they will be back in the snow
After their hot chocolate.
Bring hope to children
As they eat fruit loops in front of the TV
School closings scroll across the screen.
Delayed. Closed. Closed. Delayed. Closed.
Grand Rapids Public Schools closed.
Children across the city throw up their hands and cheer
?Mom, Dad, Schools closed. Can I go out and Play??
Strung through sleeves with yarn
A leash for potentially lost mittens
Brightly colored crocheted hats create staticky hair,
Matching scarves conceal the faces.
Bulky jackets zipped and buttoned over bulkier snow pants
Making children walk like penguins
Weather warranting two pairs of socks and velcro?d moon boots
With rubber soles allowing a child to grow instantly
Children scurry through their doors,
Bundled up in armor against
The bitter cold and attacking wind.
They lie in the infinite snow and swing their arms and legs
Pushing it aside creating angel shaped dents
A menagerie of snow people taller than their creators
Scattered across the city
Snow forts and snow banks for hiding and climbing
For declaring oneself, king or something or other.
The cold becomes unbearable
And the TV news warns moms
Of the plummeting wind chill
And numbing, burning cold
Children dash back into the house
Stomping the snow off their boots
Tossing their hats, their scarves, and coats by the door
Unbuckle their snow pants and set them aside.
Knowing they will be back in the snow
After their hot chocolate.
