Winter Is Here

Even in the wintry world the soul of the coming year bursts through the frost, Amid drifts of snow the long icicles hung down from eaves, fences and ledges, Walking by day is bracing and delightful hot chestnuts sold from street corners, Fires burning in metal bins people warming hands stopping for a few minutes. As the day darkens,lights shine from house windows silhouette through curtains, Music from piano's songs and good conversation lift hearts in domestic bliss, Fairy flakes silently and suddenly delight the towns people a sparrow sings, Whatever the calendar may say feelings do not cross seasons until the first snow. In the parks and woods see wild scenes of winter life with driving snow storms, A sombre landscape noiseless passage of a hawk amid the trees, and cutting wind, Moaning pines, the cold light of day growing colder as the quick darkness falls, These and other ghastly things that appertain to natures annual winter has come.