Untitled, 12-23-2002

[Photo: Drew Mayer-Oakes via Pexels]

It doesn’t snow often in the desert.
Tonight, snowflakes fat as
Graham-crackers fall fast
From low, no-traction clouds,
Cover strained headlights
Send streetlamps spinning
Like bald tires
On dream wet blacktop.
The backend of a Buick
Below my balcony
Comes around —
A ragtop Christmas
Carousel.

It doesn’t snow often in the desert.
Tonight, the river is fuller,
The valley is deeper.
Christmas is nearer and
Silly, giddy kids roll cold
In the new white that’s
New tonight, but will
Be old and gone
By Christmas.

— Damien Willis, 12-23-2002