Hill Country Ice Storm
Out the window, there`s a flicker
As the storm starts getting thicker.
.....In the landing lights, it`s looking mighty grim.
It has rained, and now it`s snowing,
Getting thicker as we`re going
.....Down. End of the drought? The chances: slim.
Southwest Air. Midway, Chicago.
Back to Austin is where I go.
.....Center seat, between two hipsters, earphones glued.
Now a winter storm sets in.
Hotter, earlier, but then
.....Texas winter, always changing, Certitude.
Son-in-law retrieves my bags
As I shiver in thin rags
.....Of a summer-weight fleece coat, inadequate.
We head off into the sleet.
Where it`s sticking, `twill be deep
.....So I`d better drive before it gets too late.
Not bad, the highways, though.
Cars are stuck. Some need a tow.
.....The defroster is on full, but I still shiver.
Seeing`s bad, but not the worst.
Take it easy. Trip`s not cursed.
.....Until I slide while crossing Blanco River.
Up the steep Balcones Fault Line,
Rising up, Hill Country roads shine
.....With what looks like the beginnings of some ice.
Drop the speed on down to fifty.
Gentle rolling hills, but slippy.
.....Come the morning, things will not be very nice.
Devil`s Backbone is a ridge line,
Winding road of cheap design.
.....The macadam holds the water when it rains.
Then it freezes. Spin truck, catch it,
Spin the other way, to match it.
.....Slow to twenty. At the bottom, hydroplane.
`Round the turn, the driveway beckons.
Spin out once, but then, in seconds
.....The garage. Click the door, and you`ll be there.
But the batt`ry`s life is over.
Climb out, punch the pad, then hover
.....`Til the door goes up. Go in and dry your hair.
Check the propane. Should be plenty,
But instead, it`s nearly empty.
.....Had the furnace set on low, but winter`s hard.
So next morning, call the service.
Level`s five percent. I`m nervous,
.....`Cause the roads are iced as badly as the yard.
Wrapped in blankets, watched my breath.
Hoped I wouldn`t freeze to death
.....As I waited for the next day`s truck to come.
Nuked some sausages, ate bread,
Gave it up. Went back to bed.
.....But in Texas, cold won`t stay too very long.
In two days, the tank was filled,
At our house upon the hill,
.....And in two more, it was fifty, `stead of sleet.
So if Texas is your home
And in wintertime you roam,
.....Be sure to call a friend. Arrange for heat.