from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Commentary Section

By Patrick Kelly

December 27, 2001

Thumbs Up for Snow's Debut Tonight

December, nothing but deception
and outright lies. Winter but
no snow, naked trees on Spruce
Street while hat and scarf vendors
go begging, Santa works up a sweat
just listening. We all believed
in something once. Once we had
the promise of snow in winter, true love,
peace on earth. It gets so that you just
believe what you want nowadays.
If I believed the calendar I'd be
warming my hands by a fire today
or stomping some life into my feet
by the door instead of opening windows
to a warm rush of air and pigeons
cocking their heads on a tree branch.

Patrick Kelly works at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Kelly Writers House Planning Committee.