Cold Front

It roars and rumbles
And bullies its way
Through the neighborhood,
Tearing at shingles and branches,
yanking at flags and skirts,
Stripping the trees of their last lonely leaves,
And whipping up angry hairdos.

It's a blustery gremlin,
Stealing kids' homework,
Snatching grocery receipts,
Setting the traffic lights swinging and swaying.

Suddenly, sleet taps at my window,
Like skittering paws of mice.