The First Snowfall

The First Snowfall

I stand beneath the streetlight,
Half frozen with delight.
I stare into the sky and watch the rain come down,
Quietly waiting…. My breath the only sound.
I hold my breath and strain to hear.
Hoping that it will appear.
Beneath the streetlight with a watchful ear,
I hear no sound, no noise, like a kid asleep
With his toys.
I close my eyes, be still my heart and hope that nature will take its part.
The rain lets up and it comes down, silent without sound.
It touches my eyes and kisses my lips.
Here I stand beneath the streetlight, praying for it to stay tonight.
A whistle blow,
Above flies crows.
Here I stand upon my toes.
I spread my arms and circle round
Before it is homeward bound.
I open my eyes and look around,
Then I smile just like a child,
Beneath the streetlight,
Beneath the snow.
Let it remind us,
Let us know that when the first snow falls
The world can stand still and in the open we will remember
That no matter what barriers or walls,
That there can be peace for one and all.

Nathan L. Edwards
10/17/97
9:33 PM