Once in the Time Before

In the Time Before,

Screened doors banged shut

With a wobble of woody aftershocks,

As if built of toothpicks and fishing line,

Blessed relief to let air into

A house in the Time Before.

In the Time Before,

Weather was everywhere,

Inescapable, indoors and out.

Clouds had meaning.

Storms had a scent.

Wooly bears foretold.

All winter we felt the cold sneak

Through every crack, curl along the floor

And creep up our legs.

Snow blew in sometimes,

Frosting our hair while we slept,

Leaving fine white lace on windowsills.

All summer we heard corn grow,

And once it tasseled, its pungent smell

Filled the hot, still night air,

Along with the scent of spread manure

And the occasional skunk.

In the Time Before.