My weather app declares: Winter Storm Warning
but if winter storms have an eye,
we must be in it
for now
because
there is a calm gentleness in
the community of birds sharing the feeder
the whitening molt of late autumn brown
the swish of skis slicing the season’s first trails
the sweep and glide of hawk and owl on patrol
the steamy warmth of an earl grey latte
the deep soul-warmth of friends, once strangers.
Storms may swirl outside my window
across my country
around the world
in my own heart
But goodness and grace surround and settle me.