Snow Trap

Inspired by one of my short stories.

 Snow Trap

 

In the clearing of the woods,

Between the live oak and the dead,

Between the "Keith hearts Marilyn" and the "Packers rule" -

Snow falls.

 

It falls all over town, but our Virginia trees

Block dive-bombing snowflakes from breaching the hull

Of our atmosphere.  I retreat to the clearing

To feel the snow on my face.

 

He used to call me snowflake.  I remember that much-

When we lived where there was no snow at all

In a suburban prison advertised as "Just Paradise"-

Brochures with tropical plants and beaches.

 

We found only beaches of concrete.

And that day he called me snowflake and asked me to marry him.

He had no ring, which I noted and quickly forgot.

I resented that.

 

Now snowflakes are responsible for the new white color of my car

Parked at the edge of the clearing for hours as I lie in the fluffy,

Marshmallow beauty of newly fallen snow. 

The cold doesn't bother me much.

 

It was winter when we parted.  Not amicably, not vicious,

But not painful.  A welcome release, I suppose.  The sun was shining,

Mocking the town with seventy degrees in November. 

I only remember when it snows.