BLIZZARD

Walking into wind, I lean into my mother's muskrat coat;

around the cuffs her wristbones have worn away the fur.

If we stood still we'd disappear. There's no up or down,

no houses with their windows lit. The only noise is wind

and what's inside us. When we get home my father

will be there or not. No one ever looks for us.

I could lie down and stay right here where snow is all

that happens, and silence isn't loneliness just cold

not talking. My mother tugs at me and won't let go.

Then stops to find her bearings. In our hoods of stars

we don't know if anyone will understand

the tongue we speak, so far we are from home.