Past All Concern (Poetry)

She lay there in the winter field
the snow it sifted down
dressed her flawless head to foot
and powdered her a crown

She stayed quite still and counted flakes
until her heart grew numb
the numbers tumbled white on white
whole skyfuls yet to come

So patient as the chill crept through
so stoic and resigned
it soothed and smoothed and straightened out
and gently froze her mind

Until at last the tiny spark
of life within her failed
and every trace of colour left
in her young cheeks had paled

and she became like marble carved —
an image on a tomb
or sleeping fairytale princess
untouchable — immune

Past all concern for love or pain
she waits for Spring’s first breath
to melt the layers — kiss her lips
and snatch her back from death