recipe for a snow day

Combine in a large metal mixing bowl:

One wooden spoon or ladle, tucked underneath your pillows

before bed. One pair of old pajamas turned inside out

(backwards may be substituted.)

Eighteen coins stacked in twos upon all the windowsills

in your house, yes, even in the bathroom. Two

ice cubes in the toilet (optional)

and a white crayon in the freezer, hidden between

the strawberry & lime popsicles. One pair of hands

gripping the sheets before bed in hope

and triumph. One official school board notice

(thawed three hours, posted online) reading

SB: SNOW DAY TOMORROW!

and two girls shrieking in delight 

at opposite ends of the street. Three group chats

chaotic with snowflake emojis.

Twenty-four million (eyeball it) actual snowflakes

falling heavy and thick outside. 

Bake at -11 degrees Fahrenheit for one day;

it's done when a toothpick inserted into the middle

comes out covered in white.