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I recognize that light,
that strange, illuminating, leaden glow
the sky takes on.
It makes my heart swell
with a deep, soul-bursting happiness
- it’s going to snow.
The first shy flakes drift hesitantly down,
caress the ground and melt apologetically,
uncertain of their welcome;
but confidence increases,
numbers multiply.
Fat flakes fall thickly,
giving those in front no time to dissipate
before being smothered by their fellows.
And I’m a child again,
nose pressed to window
as the magic stuff smoothes edges,
turns my darkness into light
with its redeeming touch.
I think of past awakenings to a special glow
that sneaked around the curtain edge
to tell how in the night
the secret snow had come.
I recognize that light -
it’s snowlight,
and whenever it comes
it feels like Christmas.
From Poetry Cornwall No 26 (2009)