Shades of Winter Grays

For a moment the sun is bright, blinding, burning, cold and white. Quick with winter's chill gray white clouds stretch and flow in quiet and still. Winter's fifty shades of gray play artist with the sky of day. The earth rests tattered with fallen leaves held stiff, frozen like an ocean tide heaves. Soon the day is done and night comes black with ivory stars, lights falling crumbs. The shortest day of light arrives closing in to sleep in cold disguise. An hour past midnight the moonlight glows and in the guiding light I walk pondering the gift of winter snows.