Hibbing is such a nowhere
bounded for months
by a cold that stops everything
and makes both sides of the street
disappear in snow

The resistance and the dreams
of the teenagers freeze
They keep their clothes on
in bed and have to be content
with ice flowers on the window

The neighbours live too close
to be friends
Grandma is watching them
groceries and curtains
the rain in the sky

In the morning she waves
to Albert who laughs
without teeth, he sniffs
drainpipes and marches
in time with the alphabet

You cannot live here
as a fortune-teller, you are old
within two years after school
then you must have left
or your future is known