Snow Falling on Rush Hour

by Erica A. Fletcher

try to be on time this time

clear an inch of sorrow off the windshield

you’re in the yard packing snow

in your mouth as if you were a toddler

don’t lose your joy

we are so here & there always there

is so much of life that is shit

on the road & the road

feels endless

but just last week you were boldly petting bumblebees

in the echinacea patch

today you are lip synching the

disposable whatever on the pop radio station

this is your mother speaking

don’t lose your joy I have a book

full of unwritten poems for you

* * * * *

Erica A. Fletcher works in biomedical research and plays rock music in the band Nurse & Soldier when she has time. Nobody knows she writes poetry. She lives in Boston with her husband and children.