A white war of snow in our own air all day

Raged at the great tower, but the tower stood.

The bells rang hourly, as from very far away,

But the sound, on the Row or further, was good.

White, soft, slow, all the snow in the sky

Fell down the great dark from cold and far,

Falling all night, all night fallen to lie

White, soft, deep, like sleep, easy and near.

We watched from windows, glad the world

Ended beyond the snow-thick window beam

Down snow-deep lawns. Heard the wild swirled

Wind-waking hour after midnight in a dream.

The world the morning after snow shines;

Trees, all their twigs and branches white,

Post-tops, roofs, roads, shining in the sun.

If love were this, we are blind with light.

And love does shine like sunlight on snow

Slow-fallen on one long-beloved place,

One hill, one tower, a white shining to know

Like knowing for life with love one face.