a half hour or so

The weather clock shifted significantly this morning:
from half past autumn to grab-your-boots Winter.
Access to the street required more effort than has
been usual: instead of walking out the door in a light
jacket and casual shoes, it was heavy winter gear
(longjohns, heavy pants, T-shirt and work shirt,
thermal parka, fur-lined leather cap, heavy mitts
with gauntlets, and insulated boots.) After digging
out the above apparel and suiting up, I hunted
down the salt, the snow scoop and the shovel, while
acknowledging my wife’s exhortations to be careful.
Once outside, my body started slowly while I inventoried
my working parts: muscles shoved, lungs ramped up—
I can still do this. Yes, great planet,
I can still repel your mighty fists of wind and snow.
I can push and pile and laugh at your gargantuan engines.
Pile snow higher, and higher to the sky—no matter:
I shall mount the very tip top ramparts and become King!