Hunkered Down -
Forecasters call for a winter storm
then suddenly, as if by magic,
even the trees are quiet
the squirrels are gone
there are no birds at the fountain
people rush to the grocery store
buying milk and liquor
chips and bread
sandwich meat, processed cheese food -
lunches for the kids
fortifying themselves
for the night ahead
the day home from work
hunkered down
praying the heat does not go off
that the power stays on
and that the television
and computer work
doctors call for his pending death
it might be anytime now –
no way to tell
and the world goes silent
the birds do not sing
as the family shops
for milk and eggs
liquor and chips
to fortify themselves
for the night ahead
the day home from work
the waiting
praying it’s soon
praying for it to be over
Frank Adams
