Winter Night

It snowed and snowed ,the whole world over,

 Snow swept the world from end to end.

 A candle burned on the table;

 A candle burned.

 As during summer midges swarm

 To beat their wings against a flame

 Out in the yard the snowflakes swarmed

 To beat against the window pane

 The blizzard sculptured on the glass

 Designs of arrows and of whorls.

 A candle burned on the table;

 A candle burned.

 Distorted shadows fell

 Upon the lighted ceiling:

 Shadows of crossed arms,of crossed legs-

 Of crossed destiny.

 Two tiny shoes fell to the floor

 And thudded.

 A candle on a nightstand shed wax tears

 Upon a dress.

 All things vanished within

 The snowy murk-white,hoary.

 A candle burned on the table;

 A candle burned.

 A corner draft fluttered the flame

 And the white fever of temptation

 Upswept its angel wings that cast

 A cruciform shadow

 It snowed hard throughout the month

 Of February, and almost constantly

 A candle burned on the table;

 A candle burned.