Philip Hoffman is Dead (Nika)

A heavy snow from two days ago covered the leaves and the grass
A heavy snow from two days ago covered the leaves and the grass
And an ice storm this morning sheathed all the branches in glass

And in the cold light of day the wind turned wood into chime
In the cold light of day the wind turned wood into chime
And an ice-covered landscape appeared to be frozen in time

A stout silver maple came down with a crack and a crash
A stout silver maple came down with a crack and a crash
Now tinder and timber and soon to be cinders and ash

And I think to myself as my lungs breathe in brisk burning air
Yes I think to myself as my lungs breathe in brisk burning air
That the burden of beauty can be too much for one life to bear