First Snow

First snowfall,
soft flakes
fall on my
arm like tiny
cold kisses
then melt
into water

the air is cold
on my tongue
and it is
white air between
me and the hill
trees

soft soft cruel
coldness falls
that would kill
me unfeelingly
were I out in
this trying to
shelter

beautiful benison
soft, deadly, the
cold comes down
with night as
light fades
chases us
inside to rub
our hands
by the fire.

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