Working while snowing

I remember when we couldn't work when it snowed
roads silent, an occasional whoosh as a car rolled by,
do you remember watching the snow spitting out from
the tires, small patterned clump of tread marks.
I wanted to collect them in my mittened hands
before heading home.
maybe there was a book at home that I could pretend
to browse while drinking a hot chocolate, or
I could say I read it while I took a nap.
the computer is set up now, two screens, a bluetooth
keyboard and mouse, remote access won't let me
pretend that I cannot work.
I can watch the birds in the tree out my window, and the
snow tumble to the ground as squirrels make their way.
I can still dream of snow and drink a hot tea,
I'll still take that nap.

Dead mice

I was notified of the dead mouse.
I was surprised it did not smell, having
been dead for some time, its rather dessicated
corpse clamped in the trap, eyes having lost
their sheen long ago.
I was notified of the chewing last night,
having slept through his having awakened
and prowling the house looking for traps,
finding rat traps he carefully set in the cabinet.
in the morning, an orange caution sign warning
of loaded rat traps.
Mice don't trigger rat traps
so I put them away.
He's a true coward around mice
Bella is a true loser at killing mice
Only I am the Mouse Hunter.

Montron - a gift from the Dordogne to Daniel and Tori

Of course
go the South of France, Dordogne
where this was handcrafted,
buy some cheese in a small market
a baguette and some dried salami.
then open this knife and cut fine slices
for a grand picnic.
Of course,
you can use this knife to open a letter
instead of a machete,
or slice open the top of a soft-boiled egg.
Of course,
this knife can be used to cut flowers from the garden,
to create a beautiful bouquet for your lover,
or, in a pinch, to open a beer
or strip the foil wrapper from a bottle of champagne.
You can
use it to cut tension, waving it wildly in the
air, laughing, when a silly thing becomes a
point of contention between you and your loved one
Of course,
as you hold this knife in your hand
stroking the smooth boxwood handle with the fine engraving
think of me and know how much I love
you both.
Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together,
Daniel and Tori!