snow cover reflects
unto the bed of day,
like the white lilac
on a summer night.

radiance expected
with the dawn
will discover itself in the light.

it is a damask world
of white on white.

when the thaw comes
there will be no trace
of the winter things
nor the magic grappling
on the other side of the door.

earth lifted up itself
and raised the host. . . .

or did heaven bend to eat?

Photo by Joseph Hallissey Sr.