Marcia K Weiss

NH 2:2011

VAPOR LOCK

Spring appears suddenly in Ithaca, as if by magic.

There were some early signs, of course,

the shrinking back of now- blackened piles of once-white snow ,

the rare few who brazenly, defiantly, shed our coats

while others simply unhunched, unbuttoned , and cautiously gave up our turtle stances ,

raising our necks again from where we had buried them in turned up collars bound by mufflers.

Yes spring appears suddenly, as if by magic.

The months of trudging through the rigors of an Ithaca encased in snow

suddenly offer up the slightest scent of green

instantly transforming us into giddy children eager for recess.

Some recklessly skip class, stretch out to catch some rays .

Others hitch a ride downtown , go to the park, skip stones on the lake.

The sudden sun, sudden warmth , sudden euphoria, gives license to day dream again,

to remember why we chose this place without full knowledge of its climate .

And just as suddenly, as the obligations of our short-lived breaks take hold again,

we drive back up the hill to tackle what we know awaits us….

until the car engines stall, immobilizing , stranding us all

in a confused and protracted moment of panic,

in a long parade of other disabled cars,

on a seemingly insurmountable climb,

on a beautiful spring day

for which we are not prepared

and lack all knowledge of our options.

Who knew, at that moment, how often life would place us in that spot.