Winter’s Light

Maybe it's the halo

falling

from the streetlamp

the illusion of warmth

that it doesn't give

to the tramp

gathering

below in half-mittens

with patent shoes a step

too big for going out

and there's nothing

sexy in the piano grin

chattering into the hush

of snowflake audience

bowing down

in thanks

evaporating...

a mug of hot water

would really add

to the sparkle

of the sky

in a steam

reminiscent of

the pocked manhole

to the left of the street

I've got little comfort

in borrowed coat

but two bus tokens

rattling

beneath...

a piece offering

to my conscience

and we say nothing.

Springville? a chuckle

as the advertisement

pulls in along side

and the doors

to heaven

shudder open

we'll be warm

and sleep...

for a while.

12.11.2023

Winter's Light challenge @Last