Snow Silence

Swinging down from the truck
foot crunching into the white snow
and as I turn to slam the door
my hand on the handle frozen.

Arrested by the silence
heart pounding for a moment
as my ears strain
for the slightest sound
wondering why I am deaf?

The soft flake touching my cheek
says sound is snow stolen
taken  by the cold
replaced by cotton
stuffed in my ears.

The hard sharp stars poke their light
through the black tar sky cloth
with a pale sickle moon
outlining skeleton leafless trees

The slamming door thrunk
as I gather my groceries
going into the cabin
filled with crackling fire sound
fills me with warm pleasure.
.....:....
Angus February 16 2002