the squirrels know

you stick a toe
out the door
to test the weather.
you don't
need any Doppler
radar
or barometer
or wind
chimes even
to tell you what's
up.
your toe is
your indicator
of hot or cold.
rain or snow.
that and the squirrels
across the
street in their
hats and gloves,
red Christmas
vests, holding small
shovels.
they seem to
have a clue,
they seem to know.