cold snap

When it’s minus
two degrees
your car won’t start.
It will say IMMOBILIZER.
CHECK MANUAL.
The manual will say
(start inhibited)
because your coded key
transponders
are unable to transmit
to the antenna
in the ignition switch.
You’ll curse and wonder
why you got a car
with a remote-control key
in the first place,
and you’ll argue
that it would be preferable
if your car just told you
too damn cold, try again later.
You’ll start the other car,
and when its defroster
refuses to work,
you’ll scrape the windshield
with a stupid plastic scraper
and you’ll think
you may as well scrape it
with a popsicle stick.
You’ll go in the house
stomping and grousing
in front of your kids
who will laugh
because they remember
your confession
about how objects infuriate you
and you’ve been known
to throw a phone or two.
They’ll say sorry, mama
sorry your car isn’t working
and you’ll collapse
in a heap of tears
about work and being late
that your old man will kiss away
and you’ll sigh sometimes
I just feel so responsible
and he’ll kiss you again,
leaving you grateful
for the cold snap
after all.