Black Friday. Another cold, damp day Warm in my office for eight or ten Watching the empty gray street As freezing rain taps the windowpane
The key to warm hands is maintaining warm arms So the blood isn't chilled along the way Two narrow radiators, wrapped in layers of wool I stay keenly aware of the temperature variations inside
Feet are my Achilles' heal It's always tricky maintaining the correct environment Leg warmers, tights, multiple socks, shoe covers In winter legs and feet have their own massive wardrobe
Too much coverage, the feet will sweat, then chill Too little, and they'll quickly freeze And no power in Heaven or Earth will warm them again Save for a hot soak in the tub
A strong wind from the North-West Blows the sleet nearly horizontal The kind of wind which drives the ice Through gaps between neck and collar, sleeve and glove
In such a wind the eyeballs will chill You can feel the cold when you blink The tip of your nose will collect ice While your mouth becomes fourth-pint sluggish
It's an dangerous environment, riding on a day like today The weather behaves like a predator So cold, so wet, so vulnerable and exposed...
God, I wish I didn't have to work today!
Aldo Ross
Middletown, Ohio
USA