and just like that

and just like that

it’s          winter

Alberta clipper kicks in autumn’s door

steel-toed boot denting

and latch tears through splintered frame

and just like that stands

there

hands on hips elbows    jutting

swirled by snow

and we in autumn’s leafy house

stand back and stare

eyes unblinking in dread

and say yes         yes         we know

and just like that