Downtown Between the Snowstorms

A Poem by Judi and AL
Two men exchanging wows
on the corner—
hands deep in pockets,
breath rising like small campfires in the cold.

Elizabeth walking slowly across the walk,
not noticing a lonesome squirrel scurrying in parallel to her,
both intent on their own quiet missions—
one to get somewhere warm,
the other just to get.

Snow falling from the trees
like a sunshine snowstorm,
shaken loose by light and wind—
sparkling, drifting,
a soft applause from the branches above.

Today is sun.
Bright on brick.
Bright on rooftops.
Bright on the faces of those who dared to come out
between the storms.

Tomorrow’s snow will bring 8–12″.
A hush.
A break.
A respite.

The plows will sing.
The sidewalks will disappear.
We will tuck in and turn down the noise.

And Tuesday—
Tuesday is back to business…
like nothing has happened.

But it has.
We rested.