The day dawns bright and clear.
Frigid air sharpens the senses
awakening me to possibilities.

Here in Iowa
it’s impossible to know
how much snow fell yesterday.
The dark and dreary day,
wind howling,
as snow flew across the sky and field
left miles swept clean, or nearly so,
grass and corn stubble
peeking up through a mere dusting of white.

It makes little sense to clear the snow
until the wind dies down
and the storm is over.
My driveway
is piled heavy and deep
this morning.
Shovel in hand
I head out to greet the challenge
of this new day.