Christmas Eve

the snow fell
so hard and fast
that we thought
the earth had
turned white
overnight
and when
we stepped
into the flurry
the lining
of our noses
crackled
with the
sudden chill
and our fingers
screamed
to make it stop
to give them back
their warm blood

inside
the smell
of cinnamon
and spice
caught
on a draft
pulled from
the open door
for a second
the comfort
and the cold
fought for
supremacy

everywhere
a silence
so deep
that deafness
would be
a blessing
a hushed
soundless
world had
unfolded
across
the once green
fields

we built
a snowman
and gave him
eyes of coal
and left
the rest of his face
featureless
because
this needed seeing
without words
or smells
just sight

when the clock
struck midnight
we retraced
our steps
back to the lodge
where the fire
burned deep crimson
the wood smoked
knots cracked
like imploding stars

the rugs
pulled tight
around
our frozen legs
as we snuggled
into the blankets
and sipped
from sturdy mugs
of mulled wine.

the night
had been winter
and the day
would be
magical
as a lonely
joyful bell
tolled
in the village
to welcome
christmas day