The Sound of Snow

She asked me how to describe the sound

of snow falling softly in the mountains.

I stood among the flurries until the tears came,

until I couldn’t stop them. Not even

if I’d wanted to,

and I didn’t.

And, after a good long while, I replied:

“You must let your heart break for want of love.

You must listen carefully when it does.

Whatever it is you hear then,

that is it;

That is the sound of snow falling,

softly,

in the mountains.”