It's Cold Here

It's cold here.

It was cold long before
Winter arrived
harsh frigid stares
as people passed by
subtle cues
to warn us off
send us packing
"This is not your neighborhood-
you are not welcome here."
their unspoken message
loud and clear

It's cold here.

Winds of change
blew too fast
too strong for some
to adjust
and bone-chillingly cold
breezes emanate from
these people
who got left behind
their decades of disappointment
and bitter envy
mingle like freezing rain
and sub-zero winds
into a deadly wintry mix
designed to drive us out

It's cold here.

Wind chill fifty degrees below zero
miserably, dangerously cold
so cold that
for a few days
Hell freezes over
and people act like
neighbors
for a change

And I wonder about
the hateful old man
who used to stagger
up and down the street
every day, cockeyed
never saying a word
except one time
he asked if I
had a spare dollar
and got angry
when I didn't

So cold here.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Kiser Avatar
February 6, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Positively deathly cold; love this: "for a few days Hell freezes over and people act like neighbors for a change"; the things it takes to get people away from the television and computers. Chilly Pen.
Mcferran Avatar
February 6, 2019 at 5:22 PM
Thanks so much! ;) Yes, it does take a bit to bring out the humanity these days....
Onclaud Avatar
February 4, 2019 at 4:15 PM
a pleasure to read this remarkable write with touches of symbolism...well done!...huggs
Mcferran Avatar
February 5, 2019 at 3:41 AM
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! ;) *hugs*
Dietrich Avatar
February 1, 2019 at 7:23 PM
Rhona, I love this one. I am taking this more about emotions of people than temperatures, but I gather it's about BOTH.
Mcferran Avatar
February 2, 2019 at 4:19 PM
Thanks! You got my meaning exactly!! ;)
Leffanta Avatar
January 31, 2019 at 1:30 PM
Love does not keep one warm en route to the outhouse, so be thankful for walls! Aloha! Rico
Mcferran Avatar
January 31, 2019 at 2:15 PM
I am grateful, believe me! ;D hahaha Aloha!
Faulkner Avatar
January 31, 2019 at 1:27 PM
I feel lucky my highs are at least in the double digits - this write so eloquent, especially like 'and bitter envy/mingle like freezing rain' so well done!
Mcferran Avatar
January 31, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Yes, I think the lowest temperature I'd ever seen in the South was in the teens... so this was definitely an adjustment! ...And thank you so much for the compliment! ;)
Krutsinger Avatar
January 30, 2019 at 9:19 PM
I am sending you all the warmth I can from the tundra that is surrounding Kansas City today. Which is not a whole lot of warmth. It is amazing how fast people will get angry the first time they are nice, and you see through their niceness for what it is. Well written indeed.
Mcferran Avatar
January 31, 2019 at 12:59 PM
Thank you, my dear! Even Kansas City temperatures would feel warm at this point, as I'm anxiously looking forward to a high of 1 degree today! ;)
Rodrigues Avatar
January 30, 2019 at 7:21 PM
Excellent, Rhona! Yes, people change temporarily for a common cause. Favorite!
Mcferran Avatar
January 30, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Thank you, I'm honored! ;)
Rose  Avatar
January 30, 2019 at 7:17 PM
It sounds like your in dire need of some warmth, yes its cold these days, keep the fire burning and the poetry flowing. have a nice evening Rhona
Mcferran Avatar
January 30, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Thank you for your very kind comment! ;)
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