by Dan Campion

“Tornadoes, Blizzards, Floods: Severe Storms Hit Vast Sections of U.S.”
—The New York Times

I shoveled snow twice yesterday,
And then again this morning.
Amazing how much snowflakes weigh
When locust-like and swarming.
They brought down branches from my trees.
They’ve made my shoulders sore,
And put cricks in my back and knees.
Plus, shoveling’s a bore.

The news, however, says much worse
Befell my fellows coast to coast.
I’ve suffered, then, no private curse.
Do I feel better now? Almost.