tough nature, frail flesh

tough nature,  frail flesh

weathermen had a new word for hurricane
force winds in February.                wintercane
the  winter storm came                   raging.
      the white snow piles higher
      strong winds send oak branches    crashing.
      blinding white and shrieking winds.

electric power stopped hours ago
sitting there in the cold                   too cold
the worry, the anxiety                     frail flesh
will he suffer or worse.
                   the cold     too cold      what to do
swallowing pride he calls the police   details given
humane police come,  to help him through the snow.

into the bright lit high school         warmth and light
the shelter is managed by compassionate,
kind, caring, efficient, helpful         volunteers.
time passes -  an aide suggests
-call home, if your answering machine
picks up, your power is back-             he does    it does!
 back home, lights lit, warmth returning.
                          the benefits of  progress
                          the fragility of it.