Winter Night

It snowed and snowed ,the whole world over,  Snow swept the world from end to end.  A candle burned on the table;  A candle burned.  As during summer midges swarm  To beat their wings against a flame  Out in the yard the snowflakes swarmed  To beat against the window pane  The blizzard sculptured on the glass  Designs of arrows and of whorls.  A candle burned on the table;  A candle burned.  Distorted shadows fell  Upon the lighted ceiling:  Shadows of crossed arms,of crossed legs-  Of crossed destiny.  Two tiny shoes fell to the floor  And thudded.  A candle on a nightstand shed wax tears  Upon a dress.  All things vanished within  The snowy murk-white,hoary.  A candle burned on the table;  A candle burned.  A corner draft fluttered the flame  And the white fever of temptation  Upswept its angel wings that cast  A cruciform shadow  It snowed hard throughout the month  Of February, and almost constantly  A candle burned on the table;  A candle burned.