Saskatchewan
Morning
(revised March 1, 2006)
by
J.C.S.
I hear the radio calling at me
“It’s a mild winter morning; minus 23!”
In my flannel pajamas, blankets, and sheet
I wish to sleep longer, as my dreams had been sweet
I sleepily roll over and touch the cold floor
Brrrrrr, I reach for my slippers, and my cloak on the door
I crank the heat up – more than five degrees, in fact
(If my dear husband sees it; he might set it back)
I wake my son up to get ready for school
There is no bus coming – I’m his carpool
No Tim Horton’s here so I make ‘coffee to go’
We get ready quickly and head out in the snow
So in the cold
car we try hard not to breathe
It
fogs up the windows and makes it difficult to see
I should have started the engine ten minutes ago
But my remote starter wasn’t working – he was
finishing homework, you know
We pull away fast, we’re running a bit late
Unfortunately I forgot to unplug the car at the gate
We head onto the road – school is miles away
It is during this venture that I truly look at
the day
My son is dressed warmly, and had some good food;
Cereal with milk, and cocoa - fresh brewed
My husband
is home; he is faithful and kind
He takes good care of this family – ‘a very
good find’
Our home is not huge, but has room to spare
Our cupboards are filled - we have so much to share
Our area is beautiful; abundant with valleys and hills
There’s a river nearby, where a smaller creek
spills
We drive over the river and up the incline
Deer appear on the shoulder – near the clump
of green pines.
We slow down to pass them, they stare at our lights
For its past 8:30 a.m., yet dark as midnight
I pull into the parking lot, fishtailing in the snow
The plow hasn’t been here yet – to clear away
a row
The tone has just sounded; children run in hurriedly
My son hops out of the car from where he sat beside me
He rushes, grabbing his mitts, toque, and bag
He begins to run toward school then suddenly turns on one
leg
He jogs back to the car, smiles, and reopens the door
“I love you, mom” he says; then runs off once
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