The Colors of Evening

THE COLORS OF EVENING Playing canasta with family and a shiny new deck of cards, Kings, queens, the beautiful blackness of the spades. While outside, through the window, everywhere Snow is falling in an uninterrupted blanket over the evening And the land is silenced. Near the window my daughter’s hair in pony tail Reveals the smooth curve of her cheek bones As, from memory, she paints in delicate strokes Spring marguerites in the garden, quietly saying hello With their frivolous white-fingered waves And their sunny yellow smiles.