1942

Down the snowflakes came

falling from a red summer sky

in small patches they fell

piercing the earth’s soul with specks of betrayal

Down the snowflakes danced

graciously still upon the

surface of my deep heart

never melting so I can admire their frozen beauty

Down the snowflakes circled

around the motionless swings

of my childhood filling my world

of innocence with wonder and curiosity as to the source

Down the snowflakes descend

drowning cries of pain and the songs

of the machine guns calling from

a distance keeping up with the subtle beating of my young heart

Down the snowflakes fall

with me around me on the ground

shielding me from the blaring sirens

so that I can feel the weight of the snowflake on my outreached hand