First Snow in Alsace

The snow came down last night like moths Burned on the moon; it fell till dawn, Covered the town with simple cloths. Absolute snow lies rumpled on What shellbursts scattered and deranged, Entangled railings, crevassed lawn. As if it did not know they'd changed, Snow smoothly clasps the roofs of homes Fear-gutted, trustless and estranged. The ration stacks are milky domes; Across the ammunition pile The snow has climbed in sparkling combs. You think: beyond the town a mile Or two, this snowfall fills the eyes Of soldiers dead a little while. Persons and persons in disguise, Walking the new air white and fine, Trade glances quick with shared surprise. At children's windows, heaped, benign, As always, winter shines the most, And frost makes marvelous designs. The night guard coming from his post, Ten first-snows back in thought, walks slow And warms him with a boyish boast: He was the first to see the snow.