We often think that Spring brings our first hopes
of a new life, a new world, a new cause to celebrate.
We need not wait for Spring to hope.
Eight inches of snow fell silently and cloaked
the surfaces of note that set our scene,
a scene fearfully bleak which clouds all thoughts
of a fearless life, and hides the fear which lies below
our greatest hopes, limited by what, we do not know.
We fear the worst after watching the news
meant to keep us watching, our nerves hanging on every word.
Snow!
Snow changes our landscape in a moment.
The deeper the snow, the greater the wind,
the more we see of all the possibilities
to change the world we ache to know.
All darkness and decay disappears by end of day.
White whorls of snow cover every branch of every tree,
and shrub and shed. No tracks yet made by others
who share this place with me.
The sun rises in a fiercely blue sky and tracks appear
upon the new world of white light strewn across its face.
Snow!
Snow allows us to dream we can make all clean.
Our purity glows within each crystal caught by sunlight,
raising our spirits, capturing our innocence.
We believe we can change, too. All is right in a world draped in white.
My first hope does not wait for Spring.
It comes alive at the sight of the first big snow.
Snow reminds me that landscapes can change swiftly,
purely, beautifully aglow. Even war’s wounded landscapes
appear at peace when covered in snow.
Impoverished neighborhoods where crime rules breathe softly covered in snow.
Snow!
annarino writes 