Memory Fragments: Probity

Snowflakes That Never Break

I sense a chilly wind coming from the chimney. What time is it now?
For gifts and laughter we can make the time bend. For winter is coming anyway
I have been naughty this year, but I shall await my rewarding eve while I plow
The snow enters and snuffs out the fire, yet a single snowflake remains in my way

All goes dark. The windows fog up with the smoke and vapors of the intruding snow
Mist sets in inside the room and I become increasingly scared as I am alone at the moment
Outside, I can faintly hear a howling coming through the chimney pertaining a crow
He is here. He has found me out, and now has come for me in the despair of bestowment

What life I was given from him, it is now time to take it back. I borrow, so now I pay
I can see the shadow of his beak, ready to break the window and fly inside
My eyes are to be plucked, for I have seen too much of his maddening slay
One by one, the snowflakes brake below his talons. Hopeless is the time I abide

But as I snuggle in fear where the fire once stood, I find myself hugging a snowflake
It does not melt nor break. It does not crumble in fear. I wish I was as strong as it
The window shatters as heavy winds come in. A cave-in occurs in my wake
I get buried as snow piles up from the outside, but I am now hidden below this white grit

Coarse and pungent, a mix between snow and the horrors from the streets
Monsters walk the holidays. A yearly tradition since the waters froze above
I must stay silent. For I can feel and hear claws roaming just above my chilly sheets
Protect me, snowflake. Serve as a spear in pinch the talons of my fear thereof

I heard a scream as something heavy almost crushed my head. Could it be?
I begin to panic as my snowflake gets buried deeper as it is stepped on
It worked! But now I hear voices coming closer as the snow begins to move near me
I start to see light coming through! But where is the monster crow? Is he gone?

As I climb back up from my tomb, I see a group of people in weird clothing
What are they? Why do they look like that? Lenses, metals, and funny hats
Are they even human? Or did the monsters learn and adapt to our way of working?
I remain silent as I take the gloved hand of a tall man. A girl, too, is standing on the mats

They do not speak. As I try to talk, they say nothing in return. Are they puppets?
I see strings hanging from the ceiling. Yet no wood is frostbitten when I see them
Are they rescuing me? Sure enough, I see beside them tons of snow-filled buckets
Wait! I have to find my snowflake! I forget all etiquette as I plow before my thumb goes numb

Alas, I find it intact. My snowflake was inside one of the buckets, yet it did not break
All other snow crumbled and melted in the heat of the moment, yet this remained
Thank you for helping me get discovered! Thank you, my savior snowflake
Oh the pain you must have strained. All for me to not get bloodstained!

But do not worry now. These people are here to help us! Right guys?
Wait, where did you all go? Where you not here just moments ago?
Regardless, I thank you all for helping me. But what is that? Above, in the skies
Like crystals falling down, more and more snowflakes begin to flow

Why are the skies crumbling!? Where are the monsters outside!?
All I see is weird people. Like the ones before, but they begin to fall
Their strings, attached to these crystals. They fall, like puppets untied
The snow all goes away. Just these falling crystals of a holiday ball

Each year, a new one is bought. Each year, a new fraud is brought
All for naught. I held dear the first piece that broke. The first snowflake I got
As my snow globe world shatters before me, I remain the one who fought
I shall put it all back together before it gets hot. For I am decorum of my favorite time slot