Minnesota home, Minnesota snow

I wave at the neighbor

who is also out

in boots and hat

to shovel snow.

.

It is just between

when the day is losing its light

and when the streetlights come on –

the semi-dark more

eerie because I can’t hear

when my hat covers my ears,

more eerie because I am hunched

over the sidewalk.

35 mm film photo by me, e myers be

I can’t see his face,

if he’s shaved today.

I don’t know if he’s fought with

his new wife before coming outside,

or if he’s fed the dog on time (inside,

the dog is barking).

.

But we are out

together

forsaking warmth — my nose hairs are

freezing and I’m sure his are

freezing too –

and because I can see him

wave from across the street,

I feel almost

safe.