Elegy for a Snowman
The fierce north wind has demolished
our snowman. Pine bough branches,
once his arms, have fallen. That sweet
pine-twig smile, three berry nose,
are face down in the bitter cold.
His plaid scarf an orphan, frozen stiff,
no body to protect. Hard as we packed
the snow to withstand the winter wind,
he surrendered, even while our holiday
lights flashed fast and bright with hope.
During the night his smile endured
as he dreamt of his pals, the birds, who
would visit mornings to eat the black seed
spread beneath him. As he stood watch
on our street, even those dreary,
sunless days, every moment peaked
with the gift of life’s abundance
and brevity. When we turned over
his head, the twig with his smile
remained.
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