Shovelling Snow With My Father by Greg Vessar

Shovelling snow with my father

As I began to obviate the snow

from my sidewalk,

my father appeared.

He does that sometimes.

I shovelled and then sifted

ice melt onto the porch steps

and driveway even though

the snow still fell.

I heard his voice in my head

as I scanned the snowy horizon.

“Gotta keep on top of things like this.”

Suddenly, the miles that separate us

felt especially long

and very cold.

Greg Vessar

Greg Vessar was born and raised in Kansas and is currently living in Northern Japan with his wife and two cats! You can read more of his writing at his blog, A Thousand Miles from Kansas at www.displacedkansan.com and follow him on Twitter @GVessar