Winter's End

by Davian Aw

the first sign of the failure was silence: the night

devoid of joyful chorus, the singing snowmen

smashed and desecrated upon the ground

melting snow dotted with coal and twig, scarves

flapping surrender in the dismal wind.

the old village slumbered in darkness. no hearth fire

warmed tables of families around hearty meals

silvergold tinsel dazzling from branches

rooms heady with pine and wine-ruddy cheer;

they too were gone. the houses lay still.

the enchantment was fading--the air outside fast

losing its chill, the gentle snowfall faltering,

turning to rain; the tropical night wind

thawing the heart of its foreign December.