The Storm

.

It is hot work to be ok

while it is all pressing in—

.

pressing in like the dark,

pressing in like the driving sleet, wind and cold

that pushed the strong little hut atop Mount Washington

one hundred forty four years ago.

.

The hut was chained over the top

into bedrock, but still,

window structures collapsed and the wind

floated the rug a foot above the floorboards.

.

The two men stoked the coal stove furiously all night

until it was red hot, but still,

water froze less than three feet

from it’s glowing sides.

.

It is hot work to be ok—

It is all pressing. And in.