Snow Day

Hemlock branches bow to the ground
A mound of white replaces the picnic table
Our dogs, chest deep in snow
Prance over each other, while
In white socks, green plaid flannel pants,
And a red shrunken soccer t-shirt,
I blow on hot chocolate, the fluff bobs
As I lean the chair on the beige linoleum floor
Away from the worn brown table.
Fresh cookies dance from the oven,
Where mom stands scolding my recline,
And flirt with the smoke of the wood stove,
From logs tossed by dad into the fire.
My brother trudges after the barking dogs
Snow up to his waist, he woofs back.
Black pants, red jacket, hat secured, I explore.
The snow grabs my legs to the knees
Trees creak and groan under fresh weight
Wind drifts through the empty forest
In the distance, a plow rumbles on.