Poem #29: Snow Day in Tennessee

It starts as most snow days in Tennessee,
with no snow. Predictions of inches,
blizzard-like conditions, unprecedented
accumulations, just wet dreams of forecasters.
Civilized adults in hand-to-hand combat
over the last loaf of bread and jug of milk
at the market. Salted roads. Sleds sold out.
Children poised at windows with mitten hands.
Schools closed and businesses slowed.
Traffic near nonexistent. All crews on call.

So much depends upon the first snowflake
painted with hope onto the winter canvas.