Where fiery breaths puff out in steam
a metal pot gives one last gleam
before my eyes float up, aloof -
soon caught in spider's milky seam.

Outside the snows protect all proof
by muffling prints of shoe and hoof.
Though sound is cracking up the floor,
a dripping, dropping from the roof.

I’m ruffled in my noisy snore
and stiffen to stearic hoar -
it has me waking with a leap,
a stranger's knock upon my door!

My horse’s eyes are strange to meet
their journey kept in darkness steep.
I bid him sweep his snowy feet,
I bid him sweep his snowy feet.