It was early evening when the snow came.
Small shiny crystals at first,
then big, bold, boulders of ice.
Solemnly, it painted everything white.
Until outside was a frosty picture,
shining like a diamante landscape against the ink blue sky.
It was fascinating to watch moonbeams bounce off rooftops
like lasers in a vast arcade.
Then I noticed her.
She looked about 9 or 10, not much older than me,
but ragged and worn.
A pale, thin figure that shivered and shook,
beside the rusty dustbin where she stood.
How could anyone so small, be out on her own,
on a night so cold and cruel.
I should invite her in, to sit by the fire, 
sip warm tea and eat marmalade toast,
but I did not know her name,
and I had been warned to stay clear of strangers.
So I looked for a warm blanket, some clothes and sweets.
I put them out beside the door, sighed loudly and retreated.
She scrambled to the door and first ate the sweets.
She put on the clothes, they fitted like a glove,
then she turned to me, smiled and waved.
I was about to ask her name, but she vanished.
Instead, there was a perfect ring of pure light,
that floated into the dark cold night,
until that also, went out of sight.