winter wonderland

it's the ice
on the window.
the wind breaking
free loose
tiles from the roof.
it's the shiver
of the skinny dog in
the yard. his bark
hardly heard.
it's the woman
crossing the street,
bent over,
clutching her
empty purse,
the man
over the fire barrel
rubbing his
hands.
the ragged souls
huddled
on a steam grate.
the child half submerged
in the split pond
with a red scarf
blowing.
winter is here.