frozen (over)

 the mississippi river here is

at least a little bit

frozen over

subfreezing

and some subzero

temperatures will do that

even to a 

grand river

like the mississippi

as a result

the river is quite still

and even has some patches

where snow has accumulated 

on top of the ice

the thing about rivers

though 

is that 

in most cases

and especially in the case of

big rivers like this one

is that 

frozen over

does not equal

frozen

there is water under that 

sheet of ice that is

still liquid

still moving

still flowing

and in time that will 

thaw

break up

melt

that layer of ice

especially when

the sun 

comes out to help

it seems like

there's a metaphor in there

somewhere

(especially if you capitalize 

three particular letters)

january 2026

milltown coffee

(with a very nice view

of the river)

moline il