it was the first snow.
no, it was lumps of molten snow
falling from the grey sky
through the Uber ride, there were no words
just a long glance through a foggy window
arrived at an old French town
toured around like black crows
in vintage shops and bakeries barely warm
and tried a fancy magician’s hat
but no trick — or was there a trick then? —
tucked under an brown brick jewelry store
a petit château — gaslight restaurant opened
— and greeted cold and shriveled souls
I don’t remember what went through my guts;
it was a blur; all the dancing lights
and the smiles — yes, there were smiles
and I felt — or I thought — a little warmth
in the cold darkness.
The one that would, in the end, shine very, very brightly.
9.5.2022
Ralph with Coffee 