How cruel can Mother Nature get? The winter storm that we are supposed to get tonight (but I am positive we won't; we can't; we cannot endure another half-foot of snow) has prompted the cancellation of tonight's Earth Day poetry reading at Open Book.

Poet and photographer John Caddy sent around an e-mail this afternoon, saying, "Our insane winter predicts nasty snow tonight with 6"-8", so the Earth Day reading is postponed for one week. We will read Monday, April 29, 7 pm at Open Book. Pray for Minnesota winter to fold its leaky tent and slink away."

Hear, hear. I mean, hear that, Winter?

The Earth Day reading will include Caddy, Joe and Nancy Paddock, George Roberts, Scott King of Red Dragonfly Press, Daniel McGuire and Joe Alfano, with music by the Tjornblom Quartet.

It is sponsored by Morning Earth and Milkweed Editions. Open Book is at 1011 Washington Av. S., Mpls.