the car won't start

i see the man with the hood up
on his car.

his hands are tugging at wires
while his wife
stands nearby
holding jumper cables.
her hair covers her face.

it's cold out.
it's beginning to snow.

the kids in shiny pink
and blue coats
are tugging
at their legs.

they look tired.
he tries the engine.
it whirrs grinds, goes silent.

no luck. they all pile
into the other car,
saying little,

then drive away.