The first good snow

Quilt of patchwork snow
slumber steep mountain memory
a million green needles
grazing
blades reaching as regiments of Rome
yearning for the lips of light
coveted Arc so sought after
stern eagle wings point the way home

being buried alive
death fell from grey skies herb garden
cut by smiling children at art time
the crash - crashing

flags fought for
stripes and stars
just as frozen
stiff as the bodies that hold them

bald tiger paw rubber gave no traction
for the tired road ahead
lacked necessary tread
whirling water hardening

wish i smashed my alarm clock
snuggled up and went back to bed

salt streaks on the windshields were
slot car tracks racing
ripples in the water fissures
pepper speckle fields from ivory shakers

between brown weathered telephone poles
yearned for playful feet and laughter

trapped

my mother pointed to the chain mail suit of armor
beneath Guinevere knighting Arthur at castles court
pulled with arms so heavy
as sword from stone

an old dusty Flexible flyer emerged
in all it's rusty glory

steerable birch wooden slat sled
powder coated
faded red steel runners
tail piece cracked
split almost in half
but still breathed life

instantly stepping outside
the snow shimmered
a million bottles of spilled glitter on white glue

leaving regrets draped on the sidewalk
running to the top of Schubert road
feet lifting off slick surfaces
propping on the antique rudders

childhood shot through my veins
cares melted away
by the roaring fireplace in my heart

orange sparks shooting up
from  pieces of exposed concrete
between the refrozen ice sledding

the wind in my face was freezing
but oh so worth it
passing mailboxes
houses on the steep slope

black Chevrolet truck stranded
walking home 4.9 miles in the frigid cold
there were no other hills or streets
icy enough for it to soar

so i carried the flyer on my back
slung like a jacket not being worn

hitting just one hill with a Flyer
was just right to keep the pep in my step
the whole walk home

passing the fresh mart and deli on Central avenue
where every single piece of candy is melted
even on a mild day
fans or not
drug deals every hour on the hour

the liquor stores selling "forget your cares"
tire shops waiting to roll out those floor jacks in the morning

Three rivers market  closed early
so no Cruze farm chocolate milk tonight

stopped in my Domino's that i worked at
i said hi to everyone on the clock
picked up cancelled orders off the silver heat rack
and headed out

i finally make it home to my apartment
between the two run down buildings
an ice rink lie in wait
skating across to my stoop
greeted by the call of two cats
scratching at the door

i step inside
and cannot wait until the next time it snows