CrossFit Athletic Group

for Mrs. Gloria, who wanted something to read

...........

One day you will see

through the Stephenson traffic

people running in snow

like it's National Geographic

You will look from afar

on your heated front seats

with a hat on your head

and fuzzy socks on your feets

in your 70 degree box

rolling on salted concrete

You drive through the town

and you stop in a store

where it's warm and it's comfy

with carpeted floors

and march yourself towards

the aisle marked "Insulation for Doors!"

Then back to the car and back on the road

where the next stop is Jets

where pizza is sold

And it never

never,

never,

never,

comes cold!

With that fresh smell of parmesan warm on your lap

You're headed back home for some food and a nap

The pizza's now gone

the blanket's now covered

from head to your toes

your body is smothered

You're snoring and dreaming

of brothers you've brothered

When you wake up you're feeling

all gray and all groggy

and glance out the window

that somehow got foggy

The snow hasn't melted

you haven't a chance

to change into your t shirt

or warm-weather pants

or your flip flops or sandals

or gardening clothes

So you plop on the couch

And accelerate "old"

There's Netflix and Hulu

and Amazon Prime

But you've seen all the shows

one too many times

They're reruns and remakes

too many to mention

all vying to get your half-minded attention

While the other half mind

is on popcorn prevention

That warm bag just sits there all cozy and snug

It's an arm's length away, just you and the rug

Between you and the mug

of hot chocolate

peppermint

sugary drug

Oh the things we will do just to keep ourselves warm

to steer ourselves clear of that wintery storm

While our bodies and spirits both loses their form

...........

But the next time you drive

down our street

you can meet

some people who thrive

in the snow or in sleet

We blow our noses

Run through Poses

Bundle clotheses

While the plow bulldozes

The heater won't work

So our fingertips frozes

We whine and we smirk

But we still move our toeses

So come hang with us

You'll probably be fine

You can still make it

We don't start on time

You can pay what you want

Why, even a dime

You'll warm soon enough

In the 3:30 line

Your friends will get soft

and your friends will get fat

They'll have every excuse

you can be sure of that

But YOU, sir, not you, sir

You'll weather the cold

And as long as you do

You'll nary get old

So turn right around

that U-turn's the way

and park in our lot

but please don't delay

Just come through the doors

You'll be happy come May

that you got yourself

better and better each day

You're only cold once

Summer's not far away