today i walked by
a patch of snow.
it was white and unblemished
under the wind’s harsh blow.

barbed wire gates imprisoning
and fenced in a schoolyard,
it was somehow patrolled
despite not having guard.

searching for footprints; tracks,
i looked across its face,
anything to see
if it would like to escape.

i realize in foresight
that there was a victim there;
they were pale, pallid,
hair gleaming and fair.

but under the even cloudy day,
the reflection of sun
erased the shadows of the corners:
a canvas and SOS message in one.

they wrote help in the snow,
hoping to flee.
and i, running by,
simply couldn’t see.