CHRISTMAS DAY 2002
Christmas afternoon at my daughter’s house. Lulled by good food, holiday music and family cheer. Realizing too late we have stayed too long.

a spreading whiteness
as darkness descends—
the intense quiet

Street not plowed. Almost no indication where curbs are. We open the side windows to see better. Heavy- laden trees and bushes reach out to grab at the car and lash us. Can’t make a hill. We back down and try again. A longer run this time, but still not quite. Once more we back down and slide into a drift.

wind-blown snow
the slow slog back
to family

Presence, January 2006