Winter Storm Ion

Mailmen put on their long pants and boots,

Commuters donned their parkas, scarves, and snow suits.

Cars wouldn’t start as they were buried in snow drifts.

Diehards commuted by skis without the benefit of ski lifts.

By and large, people stayed home January 6 and 7.

Cleveland set a new record low at minus eleven.

Snowfall, frigid cold, and bitter winds closed city halls and schools.

Many died in car accidents or pushing their snow shovels.

The polar air of the storm called Ion descended ‘cross half the nation;

Governors declared:  stay in unless you have good reason.

In Michigan the gov said it’s too cold to even build snowmen—

Great lakes lighthouses under layers of ice were hidden.

Frozen roads of ice made snowfall even more treacherous;

St. Louis Missouri transported the homeless to shelters by bus.

In Tennessee the ‘mobile cold patrol’ rounded up anyone in danger;

Connecticut citizens were urged to call 2-1-1 if they needed shelter.

Weather related fatalities are yet to be enumerated.

Backyards and streets become ice rinks where the adventurous have skated.

The Great Plains complained of dangerous white out conditions;

Even Florida State University had single digits and a bizarre frozen fountain.

Minot, North Dakota postponed the celebration for their 125th year.

Freezing rain and black ice were feared in the state of Delaware.

Thousands lost power and recorded in Fargo were wind chills of fifty below,

The arctic storm brought glacial temps to Ohio also.

Odd phenomena witnessed included frozen waves in Mobile Bay,

Entire cars, even buildings were covered with ice they say.

Soap bubbles froze; massive icicles engulfed trees in Tennessee.

Snow and ice covered the Mississippi at St. Louie.

Minnesota and North Carolina closed their zoos;

Paducah cancelled flights—it was in the news.

The Amtrak Empire Line held back their trains,

Trucks moved freight slowly, but only using tire chains.

How many inches of snow? Kansas and Iowa had 4 to 6.

Snowbound cars in Illinois were covered in 8 foot drifts.

15 inches in Indiana, 18 in Michigan—depths like this create urgency;

14 counties in the Tughill Plateau, New York were declared a state of emergency.

The year is young—what will happen next to close us down?

Will Watertown change its name to Snowtown?

The sun has massive spots and is unleashing uncommon solar flares--

My advice for twenty-fourteen is to say your frequent prayers.

--copyright Marilyn White 01/09/14