Sunny spot

Hot summer days

I sit barefoot in the shade

Cool fall days

I wear long sleeves and shoes

Seek the sunny spot

In the yard to sip coffee and think of home

Of sock hats

thermal underwear, gloves and warm coats

Of shoveling snow

On winter mornings before school

Of throwing snow balls

At yellow buses while standing in a crowd

Of delivering papers

With a sled and getting home after dark

Of cold that cut

Through clothes like a knife

Of take your boots off

Outside before you come inside

Of put your hands

Under warm water to thaw

Of feel the sting

and burn as feeling returned

I stand

In the sunny spot in the yard

In only

long sleeves and shoes

And whisper

To a forgiving universe

Not now

Not now and never again

11-18-20