Snowman

                 By

C. Neuroticus Absolutus

 

Our snowman knocked

Upon our door.

I asked him what

He’d done that for.

“My feet are cold,

I do implore

A lump of coal

And nothing more.”

His great belly,

Round like a keg,

Hid any sign

Of foot or leg.

Was this a ruse,

Played on the old,

To get their goat?

Maybe their gold?

A bit of coal

To warm his toes

Would melt him down.

He’d come unfroze!

“My dear good sir,

I see your pain.

But give me time

And I’ll explain.

“A fire will warm you

Through and through

But melt you down

And that won’t do!

“I’ve come to like

Seeing you outside.

The sight of you

Fills me with pride.

“The old top hat

Upon your head

Was once my Dad’s

And he’s now dead.

“The scarf you wear

My brother wore

Before he left

To die in war.

“The broom you hold,

Scrub pail of brass,

My mother used

Years ’fore she passed.

“I’ve adorned you with

Things near my heart

My kids must learn

’Fore I depart.

“Things like courage,

Grace and charity,

Faith, love, hope,

Generosity.

“But come into my home

By the Yule log’s light.

I can’t let you suffer.

It’s really cold tonight.”

We sat and talked

For hours on end

About good and evil,

The hearts of men.

A happier snowman

I’ve never seen.

His constant smile

Dripped, glistening.

I mopped and wrung

Him out with a tear.

Maybe I’ll see him

Again next year.