Snowman

    after Kenko

We start by making snowmen of ourselves.

The likeness isn’t true (but that’s a fault

of snow). We cover it with precious metals

and jewels, then we build a worship hall

in which to place our decorated snowman selves,

although by now the snow has almost melted.

   Each day we strive towards a better future,

forgetting that the days we’ve lived already

are in the hands of Death, our daily lives

dissolving like the snowman’s snow.

And what of these endeavours? What indeed.