Awaited.

Awaited.

Awaited.

My dog wears jingle bells around her neck:
They warn the worried squirrels as we trek.

If warmer 'twould be melted, if colder, froze:
This forty-degree slush assaults my toes.

One last push: the driveway's clear at last;
A roar, a rush, the heedless plow speeds past.

Snow makes me slip and fall, yet is so kind;
Its flakey pillow cushions my behind.

Through frozen fields with stiff'ning nose I roam;
I hope the cider's hot when I get home.

A warmer spell fulfills our shiv'ring wish,
But chills our spirits, wond'ring what went "squish."

Summer's sun promiscuously may jade,
But winter's coyly cheers the lengthy shade.

Counting syllables is silly:
Belt out couplets willy-nilly!

Snow is slippy, but has class,
Lends a cushion for my ass.

The slippery snow
cushions my fall.

My wet dog
smells
like home.

Sky,
calm above,
ripples below.

Frosted nose
in cider's steam.

Quick thaw, a hike;
gaze up,
squish.

Coy sunbeam:
teasing warmth.

Failing
fire,
blanket.

Comfort of
familiar
snore.

Unwelcome
silence.
Absence.

Thunder!
Jump,
then laugh.

I say, ...
Hachoo!
I mean, ...

Snuffles
dull
the thought of---what?

Ear wax,
eh?

One fainted,
fell;
I struggle up.

Cold nose
sniffs
past blanket's edge.

Thought stuttered,
time skipped,
but my legs steadied.

Thunder!
Shout back!