When dad went away

deep freeze set in.

I looked to Sue for shelter,

after all, she'd seen

her share of winters. She seemed

so comforting,

soft and sweet as

and angel cake,

--I thought.

But a sorry comforter

she was; her freezer burn 

ran deep enough to chafe,  

deep enough to chill  

any relationship  

I dreamed up between us.  

"My kids have no more grandads."  

I ached for their loss

of grandfatherly romps  

stories in the rocking chair

sled rides. Sue said, 

"They'll get used to it. Kids always do."  

Her mouth creased over the words  

with grim satisfaction.  

That was all she said about their loss, 

icing over my bleak pain.

Her indifference  

was one more hill to climb 

that cold, cold winter.  

Looking back, I wonder why

I didn't say, "Nonsense!"

and tell her how petty she was.

Now I'm older, when a cold wind blows,

I am smart enough to come in out of the snow.

Find a fire warm with welcome.

Some things, you never get used to.

Why should you?

Weather comes and goes.

No need to join the permafrost.