Skids

Half the country hit the skids when we did,

and whilst our turning world went supplicant

to Christmas pictures

and the cold closed in,

and those with time to think stripped shelves

to nourish their plans, even as families careen

into frosty ditches

scattering wishes

I say this to you; there’s no other traffic on the road

and six gears to play with, so turn the wheel again 

pull out of the skid,

with forgiving traction

there’s enough grit here to soften the toughest conditions

and in any case, the thaw comes even as the ice hardens