First snow (that sticks)

tickling my nose
       the
           flakes falling in darkness
interrupt my reverie
  I spin and stare up
 
showering my black jacket with polka dots
 this snow melts on impact or soon after
but colder night awaits

as we sleep
the flakes fall
one layer sticking
                   and then the next
soon blanketing the ground with whiteness
this first snow remains
                     late

clean white remembrance
   greets the wakers this morn
                         on which we reflect
our gratitude for soldiers
protecting our chance
  to revel in the crystal clean snow
safe

while others fight in wartime
and some of us work today
and maybe roads are slick
looking out my ground-floor window
I wonder at the snow that sticks