Driven Home, Driving Snow

A toad flattened beneath the treads of
Steel-belted all weather tires
The humming drone in my head of
Pavement
Impacting tires
Impacting pavement
Impacting tires
Impacting pavement
Impacting

The endless hiss of practice conversations
And imagined conversations
And the echo of occasional,
Real conversation
With family members
Discussing dinner options
Discussing clothing styles
Discussing bedtimes for children
But never mentioning death
Or the dying of our loved one
Flattened beneath the treads of
Rugged hiking boots or
Comfortable-but-impractical sandals
Worn with socks to keep off the chill
Of the snow on winter roads
Covering the beloved toad
Flattened beneath the treads of
Steel-belted all weather tires

It will be good to get the road noise
Out of my head
Good to be
Driven home
Driving snow
Finally to sleep
The hiss of traveled roads
Drowned out by the dreaming croak
Of flattened toads