Missouri Winter

Missouri Winter Passing in tall grasses of winter meadows, Brisk winds of cobalt blue skies; The bite of pure cold stinging our cheeks, A feeling of contentment in our souls. …a time of crystalline immediacy, the winter-clean moment! Through the woods and fields near home, Phil, Lee, Billy, and I (with Timmy behind) rambling careless; Sharing myth and magic, as all was new Before the setting of the sun. … a time of no past, no future! The old deserted barn, full of pigeons white and gray, Soon scattered by our young zeal, spent on winter's air; One circle round and back to meet again, And once more the rudeness of boys rends winter. Fifty years since field and barn were winter forevers, And tall winter grasses were imprinted by our timeless ramblings; Looking up at winter's sky without a care, our spirits free; Only the scent of frozen hay and winter's air. …a time of pure exuberance, of the instant! This new winter brings its crisp melancholy. Another solstice now, and thoughts of timeless days, Rolling back to fifty years gone by, An icy, orange-brilliant sun in scraggy, distant trees. …a time of frost on tall grasses in now distant meadows.