White Lies

To snow, with love.

With cracks and dust beneath my heels, I walk the city path
A day of work behind me past and wondering, now, I laugh
At idle dreams of cracks and dust beneath a coating deep;
Forgiving, soft and white it lies, while imperfections sleep.

The sights and sounds and smells of life reduced to hints and clues,
And mysteries of winters past in muted grays and blues
Are painted, there, above my head, with deft and subtle stroke,
Contrasting bobbing, worried heads of bundled, hurried folk.

The gravel grinds beneath my toe and frays my reveries
Fluorescent light of urban night obtrudes on barren trees -
And buildings cold and roadways broad and roiling human crowds -
All but a momentary din below the silent, patient clouds.