MOMENTO MORI

5 3 R M O M E N T O M O R I D A R Y L H I N E On the first snowfall of the season, December 17, 2011 As if in temporary blindness Scads of flakes scud from the sky To wrap the ugly earth and lie About its dirty-minded kindness; Above and about the snowflakes fly, Before and behind in miles of mindless Fury outside the window, windless, Reminding us that we must die. What covers the ungrateful landscape In a not unwelcome pall Of white like a quilted cover-all Creates a corresponding mindscape Where, as on an inner moonscape, We watch the white snowflakes fall. ...