"A Surprise Snow Da"y by Kristin Sauma

Sleepers wear pajamas inside-out;

children hold their breath, cross their fingers, and

dance,

participating in rituals that have moved to the beats

of hearts from generations and generations

with hope.

Parents focus puffy eyes on channel 6

and ears on unnaturally cheerful morning voices...

A number on the screen soon means

whiteness outside,

and a day of justified truancy.