Dakaanimad

(1) The

(2) Wind. It

(3) Blew with a

(4) tremendous force.

(5) A howling within

(6) A blistering snow storm.

(7) The trees bent and swayed with a

(8) Needle-sharp burn of ice and air.

(9) Like the bellowing of hunted beasts,

(10) The wind screamed and wailed with a cold vengeance.

(9) but it is the whisper of the pines

(8) that invited me to stand guard

(7) as the chill began to ebb

(6) and the bellowing breath

(5) slowed to a calm lull.

(4) The wind still blew,

(3) but the cold?

(2) Whispered,

(1) “sleep.”