snowflakes falling
each with its own
speck of dust

Buildings all around this city have laundry tethered to their facades.  Even on the coldest days bright tee-shirts hang from rusty hangers on the fire escapes.  Wooden clothespins grip a striped cotton shirt dress, a blue scarf, and a tattered pair of jeans.  We can patch the sky with these at different times of day.  The brightest buildings have brick facades.  Five floors up and tee-shirts, scarves, and jeans become prayer flags.  A pigeon perched on the fire escape wears its laundry on the outside.  That pearlescent cheek patch is the bright sheen of cold wrapped around a hanger.  This time of day is a blue scarf that never tatters.