Crazy mornings are the best. 
Stress helps you think better; 
lethargy and apathy aren't options 
You just get going and keep going 

The wind howled all night long 
the storm windows rattled 
not that I sleep well when my wife is gone anyway. 
My alarm didn't go off. 

I woke up more than an hour later than usual 
I scrambled to get ready 
pack lunches for the kids 
roust them out of bed to get them going. 

I didn't get breakfast 
didn't make coffee 
reminded everyone to dress warm 
and what work to get done when they get home 

The car stalled at the corner 
I noticed it was low on gas 
it stalled again as I pulled up to the pump 
I went inside to pay and grab some coffee 

I grabbed an egg sandwich and a bottle of gas-line antifreeze 
I hurriedly paid for it all 
and slammed into the door with the sign that said 
please use other door 

About a third of the way to school 
my cell phone rang 
I looked forward to talking to my love 
but instead heard my middle daughter in hysterics 

Something about snow pants 
the wrong snow pants 
little sister not listening 
put your sister on 

listen carefully, 
wear the ones in your bag 
let your big sister wear the other ones 
Ok? Ok. Love you Daddy, love you too 

Back to the middle girl 
still hysterical 
But they don't fit either 
and I can't find mine! 

I'm already a half hour behind 
I'll get to school late 
and I have hall duty 
I wish I could help you 

Can you just calm down 
it will be okay 
it's just one day 
stay inside 

And whatever you do, 
don't call Grandma 
This is not that big a deal 
breathe, Honey, just breathe 

My cell rings again 
this time it is my wife 
Excited about your conference? 
I hope it goes well 

I love to hear her voice 
It almost makes it worth missing her 
Just call to say good morning? 
No, one of the kids called, what's been going on? 

Nothing 
No big deal 
We got it handled 
Everything's okay 

I run into school 
and head out to the hall 
ten minutes later 
than I'm sure my principal would've liked 

Hall Duty can be tedious 
standing in one place 
for a half an hour 
keeping students from loitering before the bell rings 

It's a slow morning 
not so many kids 
probably all late 
because of the cold 

I visit with a a few 
congenial and calm 
playing the role of the 
steady and positive adult influence 

I read my book of poetry 
and look out down the hall 
past the lunch room, through the windows out front 
and see that the snow has started to fly