Storm Watch - Nov 24 2025

 

Storm Watch

Nov 24 2025

A storm watch has popped up on my phone.

How reassuring

they are keeping watch

and looking out for me,

eagle eyes 

peering up;

that is, whoever “they” are.

Satellites circling,

computers whirring,

texts 

hurtling through space

in case of snow.

So I’ve been duly warned;

the first storm of winter,

and I can only hope to be stranded at home

  — snow stayed,

my obligations on hold.

But I remember the old days

when we were on our own.

How we sniffed the air

tested the breeze

squinted up at the sky.

Watched the birds roost

squirrels hunker down.

Felt it in our bones.

At the mercy of the weather gods

who were as ineffable

as the Almighty himself.

We were humble back then,

accepting our impotence

surrendering to whatever.

When life was full of surprises,

not watches and warnings

and red alerts.

A snow day, like an unexpected gift

one weekday morning,

before the alarm emitted

its klaxon-like blast.

Rolling over in bed

and looking out the window

as horizontal snow

battered the glass,

trees bent

leafless branches broke,

and impassable roads

made it feel even cozier

to be stranded at home.