Alison is still without power.
I penned this haiku in her honor
based off a conversation
we had on the phone two days ago.

digging up her past –

in Girl Scouts she learned how to

start and stoke a fire

by Kelly

stuck in a dry cold spell –

I’m grasping at haiku that

remain elusive

by Kelly

dusty gray field mouse

harmless peaceful frozen dead –

four degrees outside

by Kelly

High today of eight.

“Downright balmy,” says deejay–

local humor

by Kelly

in the time it takes

for my dogs to pee the front

door handle freezes

by Kelly

first night of the year

temperature drops sub zero

we play cards and laugh

by Kelly

throat, lips, nose and skin

scratchy, scaly, thirsty, chapped

life in furnace land

by Kelly

Whole box of mittens

and I can’t find the brown, knit

ones I have in mind.

by Kelly

my sweatshirt wasn’t

enough on my morning walk –

change is in the air

by Kelly

Survival guide for

Minnesota winter: Stop

counting negatives.