fresh snow without prints
awaiting the first sleigh ride
and a child’s laughter
seeing
the brown bag prophet
standing
in snow
sporting
an hawaiian shirt
and
ringing
a martini glass
with a spoon
forced me
although
i knew better
to ask
why
he said
there are only
180 shopping days
till summer solstice
people need
to be prepared
for it
as much
as christmas
with the same
commercial spirit
that has led
to christmas carols
at halloween
i’m proposing
a little jimmy buffet
margaritaville
starting
christmas day
arctic winds
blow snow
sideways
across
nebraska roads
like fine desert sand
blinding all
to her body
naked
on a mound
stained with blood
another sacrificial lamb
her mouth
now frozen
into a plea
for help
but none
came
nothing
remains here
but signs
of her fear
fingers
buried deep
into the snow
icicle tears
in each eye
eyes
that prayed
to god
a god
she had known
and loved
but
must have had
another appointment
she
would have
understood
such
was the depth
of her love
but
not
mine