36 Snowflakes (Poetry)

I pressed three dozen plastic snowflakes
                to the window
and they stayed upon the glass
                all Christmas long
but the weather didn’t take the hint
                I offered
the sky just frowned until the feast
                was done

I placed the painted wooden figures round
                the manger
and they stood there gazing rapt
                upon the child
I had dreamed a brighter world would
                soon be coming
and the gift of love would see
                men reconciled

This new year feels as old and worn as
                last year’s promise
I peel the snowflakes off
                the crib back in its box
yet hope stays out there — hitching down
                some distant highway
I pray someone’s home the moment that
                he knocks