and then there you are
out of nowhere
out of everywhere
out of the sky
the whole world is white
and quiet and cold
everything’s just
a rounded echo of itself
and I’m so grateful
to be able to wake up inside
to pull on my long johns
and then my pants
and my wool socks
and a shirt
and a sweater
and a beanie
and my Carhartt coveralls
and my dusty snow boots
from the back of the closet
and then tromp out
like a little kid
after cancelled school
into your pillowed
frozen glory
to say thank you
for finally laying
the summer to rest
I thought it may last forever
but you arrived at last
overnight
like a present on the doorstep
like a glinting gift from above
and as I start to shovel
the driveway
and I feel the same old ache
of my back and shoulders
I do so with joy
and little more gently
than I have in the past
as I layer you
upon yourself
I praise you
and all the water you’ve brought
I praise you all morning
sweating into my layers
squinting at how bright
you’ve made the world
how welcome you are here
exactly where you’re
supposed to be
I don’t want you to stay forever
but please stay long enough
that we have a chance
to miss the heat
and to relish in how
you reflect the sun
how you glimmer
in the shine of day

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award-winning poet, writer and playwright from Gilpin County, and is the author of seven published books. You can find his work and more information about him at www.alexandershalomjoseph.com.