Snow and temperatures are falling. These poems warn, advise, and console. Beyond that, drive with caution.

Snow Advisory

Across time zones the wind wipes

everything clean

The radio warns of whiteout

on the freeway

cattle spilled from a ditched liner

wander across the passing lane

Then a flicker

a shudder of the fridge

the radio’s dying sigh and

darkness hauls down the last of the day

Outside on the street not a tiremark

not a rooftop retains its shape

no straight line anywhere

beyond this frosted windowframe

No light but from the moon

reflected on snow

no sound but the howl through loosened eaves

the scrape of my fingernails on glass

Colin Morton from Coastline of the Archipelago (BuschekBooks)

Black Ice

You didn’t see this coming but

there’s no way to back out now

Steer into the skid

look for traction on snow

Don’t lock the brakes or it’s all

gone to smash

Have matches, candles, blankets with you

If you’re stuck in a snow bank

that blocks the exhaust

don’t run the motor for heat

Open the door if you can

Breathe fresh cold air

Look up and be glad

you can see the stars

Colin Morton from Winds and Strings (BuschekBooks)