Frostbitten

Pungent fresh pine scented breezes Slither between boughs of cedar Leaving frigid kisses to ride Fragrant laurel chilled by winter Slivers of January light Bounce off the rich damp forest floor Brittle stems of wild azalea Wait pregnant one trimester more Armies of crisp brown leaves parade Over crystallized chartreuse moss Where tendrils of life hold on fast So the highland suffers no loss Icicle slopes of emery Weeping frozen stalactite tears Remember the summer soul mates Still passionate despite their years Somewhere lost in cold reverie She waits for the lovers’ return A mountain cloaked in loneliness Decomposes when left to yearn