____And everyone was quiet
moving to the windows
from their desks and cupboards,
or pianos to stand together, watching.

It was the last time
it snowed on earth.
March. I could tell you

all the facts, the finite dimensions
of depth, duration, degrees

but we reached for it falling.
And it fell slowly, softly
bandaging edges,
each flake particular.

And for a time
we were monkeys
and monks, kicking
through the drifts
or solemn as candles.

It is hard to tell you
of snow. It was
like the ash, but colder.