A poem for New Yorkers on this snowy day...
Dedicated to one of the best poets of all time, Shel Silverstein.
"I cannot go to work today,"
Said Mrs. Peggy Ann McKay.
"The subway trains are going slow,
My car is covered up with snow.
The sidewalks have still not been cleared,
The building's super is not here.
My gloves are lost, my scarf is frayed,
My earmuffs don't keep warm my brain.
My thick socks don't fit in my boots,
And wait, they are not waterproof.
School is out, the government's closed,
Drippy boogers are in my nose.
Bad shivers are shaking my knees,
I should drink an Airborne now, please.
The flakes still fall, the snow drifts grow;
The cold wind at fast speeds still blows.
My office, I'm sure, is quiet,
There's no need for me to try it.
I'll stay inside for my safety,
Because I'm a real smart lady.
A step outside could cause a slip,
At this age, I could break my hip.
Only rarely do blizzards come,
Let's relax, stay warm and enjoy this--what?
What's that? What's that I hear?
Is that my Blackberry I fear?
My boss says, a meeting at 3;
'You'll teleconf'rence in,' says he.
My email dings, my voicemail beeps,
My! I'll barely have time to eat.
My PowerPoint is fired up,
I'll go refill my coffee cup.
Responsibility's lurking,
Ain't no snow day for the working.
In this job market oh so tight,
I should feel lucky and no slight."
Read the original version, called "Sick," by Shel Silverstein.
Read short stories inspired by everyday life in the city at Chronicles of New York.