a viciously-looking dog
on a leash in the deep snow –
I am afraid of him, him of the snow
a viciously-looking dog
on a leash in the deep snow –
I am afraid of him, him of the snow
stopping
to listen
to thawing snow
white nothingness
all around –
we’re passing the state border
wintry morning,
sounds of kids at play
— what joy!
midwinter greyness,
the regional train
advances towards Paris
joy –
for the first time,
my nephew calls my name
white fields opening wide,
in the distance – gentle, rolling hills
underneath – my birth town
the tapping of the rain
on the roof –
my dog is no more
no stars above the city –
only the blinking names of stations
in the subway
on the train to Menton –
snowy peaks on one side
glittering sea on the other