Mid-December, 8 pm.
A sudden snow stole into the slums
of Bronx, softening its harsh streets
of broken glass and shattered dreams.
Under the mellow glow of the night lamps,
these streets are Christmas-like,
enchanted by a blanket of fluffy white.
At a corner, three men huddled
around a fire fueled by newspaper,
rubbing their hands, stamping their feet,
shaking away the night's chill.