Day 576: Against Battening Down

                                

Ha, brilliant as always, Billy Collins.  A suitable anti-dote to the weather conditions, but oh so much more as well.   

 

For Bartleby The Scrivener - Billy Collins

"Every time we get a big gale around here 
some people just refuse to batten down." 

 we estimate that 

ice skating into a sixty mile 
an hour wind, fully exerting 
the legs and swinging arms 

you will be pushed backward 
an inch every twenty minutes. 

in a few days, depending on 
the size of the lake, the backs 
of your skates 
will touch land. 

you will then fall on your ass 
and be blown into the forest. 

if you gather enough speed 
by flapping your arms 
and keeping your skates pointed 

you will catch up to other 
flying people who refused to batten down. 
you will exchange knowing waves 
as you ride the great wind north.

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