FIRST SNOW

11-22-92

I.

9:00 am

The first snow of the year is falling.

I watch my surroundings transform.

Softer, quieter, covered in white.

It changes me too.

I feel cuddly, a radiating soul.

I extend greetings and smile to everyone.

I go inside and put on slippers,

and curl up in a fuzzy blanket.

Sipping hot chocolate, I become dazed

by the snowfall.

The large downy flakes stick on passerbys'

Hair and coats.

I think of Chicago and lake-effect snow.

So fluffy, like clouds falling.

II.

Twelve years old.

Three feet of snow in the back yard.

The biggest snow in a long time.

I go outside determined to make a snowman.

Mom says it won't stick-

The lake-effect snow is deceiving.

As I start rolling the base.

It takes a long time so I get help.

Kimmy comes over and we turn on

the porchlight to work in the dark.

When we finish, we put my brother's hat

and scarf on it and have Mom

Take a picture.

It froze that night and we couldn't

get my brother's things off the snowman.

Oh well, he'll just have to wait for the thaw.

III.

1986 January

Driver's Ed class, my 1st day behind the wheel.

The first snow New Albany has seen in threes years.

My teacher is overly cautious

Keeps breaking for me.

He doesn't know I am from Chicago, doesn't care.

I drive fine, following slowly in the faded

paths from other cars.

I watch the snow melt on the hood as we

drive back to the school.

The snow falls quietly as we walk inside.

IV.

We sing morning 'wake up' songs.

Suddenly, someone yells "Its snowing!"

I rush to the windows and take pictures.

At seventeen it still amazes me.

It covers the garden at Trinity Church, Indy.

We go outside and fight like children.

Shoving it down necks, pants, whatever.

Snow always makes me refreshed,

I feel like a child each time.