Winter Is Upon Me

Serrated edges of the cold caress the air tonight. Winter brings with him darkness unanswered by the light. Wind blow the ice like barbed wire into my skin. Unspoken unseen forces laugh as I pull my coat tight in. Frost crackles beneath my feet, bats are the only birds in flight. Walking just a little faster I hold myself upright. Then on the wing of secrets shadows dance between the trees. And on and on into the night I watch my hot breath freeze. The stream I crossed was frozen tight, no longer a babbling brook. I slide across that silver mirror wishing for its summer look. The trees grew darker still as I followed down the fence row. Each step heavier than then the last, How much furthervmust I go? That sudden glimpse of lamp light erased all sense of time. Bewitched by that blessed sight, I left the frozen night behind.