Snow descended from the sky 
white covered our heads, land, and air

Everything came to a standstill: 
no work, no school, nowhere to go

We huddled and waited 
warm arms and hearts

Yet my winged neighbors could not be still

They lunged at the feeder as it spun 
clutching on for some seed

I’d like to think I helped them 
survive the storm with purpose

Our windows were covered in white snow 
making it almost impossible to look out

We had to wait for the worst of the worst 
before we could venture out

wind howled and I held my breath
watching the cardinals and sparrows gave me strength

if they could weather this storm 
– outside no less –
I could and would too

Finally we opened the front door

Snow greeted us and dropped
onto our heads and carpeted floor

Determined with shovels in hand 
we stepped out into this three-feet snow-covered land 

to dig our way out and back into the world