The Comradery of Snow Shovelers

We greet each other
with shovels in hand
and joke about the snowfall
talk about the needed water
(we are in a desert)
test the snow pack
light or heavy
dry power or slush
and then we strike
pushing back nature
as a company of men will
rescuing the elderly
(denying that we are old)
and single women
and then each other
trapped by the snow
than when done
after telling a few stories
we wave our shovels
and return to our homes
triumphant snow warriors
to give our backs a rest
and hope we have
a few clear days.