snow days

This evening I saw a man standing by the road, holding up a sign I could not read in the fading light.  He stood in the bitter cold, the ground covered by the recent snowfall.   As I drove home, I thought about a memory when, as a child, I would play in the snow.  Snow days were always the best.  I would spend my time outdoors trying to build snowman or just snowballs until my finger tingled.  Then I would come inside to warm up, my feet by the heater and hot chocolate in my hand as mom did housework.  A little while later, I would go back outside to play in the beautiful snow until the daylight began to fade.  It seems like that was the only time when I enjoyed the snow.  In later years, it has become more of a nuisance than a joy.  I suppose that man on the side of the road may feel the same way too.  He may have once, as a child, made snow angels in his backyard. But now as he stands in the bitter cold, the snow is just another curse to his destitute state.

on bitter cold days

the sun shines upon white snow

but leaves us no warmth

- Written for dVerse Haibun Monday #28 which challenges us to write a haibun about a childhood memory.  I had already thought about writing a poem about the snow and the destitute man I saw on my home from work (unfortunately not the first time).  Then I saw this prompt, started writing and this is where I landed.  I have heard people say that sometimes you focus on writing one way, but once you stop writing you find yourself in an entirely different place.  I believe this is one of those occasions for me.