On Snow

Snow on snow on snow

Ice ferns on the window

Warm inside, where the golden embers glow

Come on snow on snow

Black bird circle whirl

Down the drain they swirl

Smoke stretching, tired arms to the sky

Raptured up in white

Snow on snow on snow

Keep an eye on the window

And an ear on the trees, buckling at their knees

Underneath their heavy load

God only knows

How strong a tree grows

Hard as stone

Then soft as a rose

One more diamond and down it goes

In the black heart of a ring of fire

That is licking wild and wider

Center still, as sleep, as death

Rattle crack the rest

Molten stays the breast