Snow

SNOW

A thin layer of virgin-white snow,
freshly fallen at 1 a.m.,
covers the road of mud
and dirt left by lorries
toing and froing the building site.
The track of the tyres
of a late-night car
stand out upon the newlaid snow
like pioneer pathways
across the terrain of life.
Soon these marks will vanish
beneath yet newer snow,
and at daybreak
pedestrians will curse the snow
churning it up with the mud below
revealing again the builder's muck.
But, as here for a moment I stand,
I see, reflected by streetlamps,
the beauty which is winter's;
yet the cold shivers
send me running to the warmth
of my electric-blanketed bed.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ackworth, 1st December 1969

Publication

1970 MOUSINGS (Sheffield, Headland)