Another Blizzard

Grocery store so crowded
all carts are in use inside
a buzz of people line up
to buy firewood and hot chocolate;
there is no bread on the shelves.

Snow drifting
in a blanketed hush
heaps of glistening powder
blindingly bright
insulates lives;
pristine and snug, quiet and still.

Then with an overlay of sleet
sparkling white turns dingy
grey and melting
sloppy underfoot;
the road sees pavement again.

Schedules slowly resume
cozy fires go out
sledding and cribbage
yield to work and school
What do they do for a respite
in southern climes?

by Polly Castor
(just found jotted on a slip of paper,
presumably from winter 2012-2013)