It was pelting down

It was pelting down
On January the first
The morning frost that has frozen everyone's toes
Turned to slush splashing empty roads paved with bulky stones
And if you peeped through the windows
You would see children playing on the floors
With wooden toys
Constantly running around
And you would hear
Laughter roar, soaring high
Through the chimney walls
Above sleeping market stalls
Like a cloud, like a thunder
Waking people up from their slumber
For the last feast yet to come
To welcome the New Year
With a hearty meal and a glass of wine