The Winter’s Silver Lining

I came here wondering if the grass was greener, and while the grass may not be right now, the way I am looking at it certainly is. I wrote this about my first few days in London, as the weather indecisively jumped above and below freezing several times a day. Funnily enough, a few days later it snowed quite heavily, apparently rare for this time in December. While experiencing a “first snow” for the first time was magical, I’m glad I wrote this beforehand, about the thin layer of ice that gives every surface in the city a dirty white glow. To those who live here it is completely unremarkable. To me, it's the winter’s silver lining.

—

The grass is white here
and the sun
Is only ever passing by

This morning
I thought I woke to the sound of rain outside my window
but looked out to an empty sky above

Pressed for time
the morning sun melts the ice that covers the roof above my head
but overlooks the layer of frost that coats the lawn outside

-

On my first day in London
I made three friends
none of which I’ll see again

Steve
the driver of a black cab
lives in fear of his Italian wife

Mary
the happiest banker in England
smiled at me when I spoke

Pieter was
professional throughout our entire transaction
then dapped me up before I left

-

This evening
As I talk with my cousin and her husband Natan
Neil Young spins slowly on their record player
and I think to myself

The grass is white here
And while those who own the lawns that have frozen over
may be irked by it,
I certainly am not.

-Samuel