Winter Wonderland

A cold wind moves through

leaves scattered on the pathway,

dry against the stones.

*

Thin frost on the grass,

it glistens under low light,

unseen in the dawn.

*

Bare branches tremble,

small twigs crunch quietly, yet

nothing seems to stir.

*

Clouds thicken slowly,

their gray weight dims the hillside,

hiding away light.

*

A shallow puddle

forms a clear sheet of new ice,

cracking at sunrise.

*

Birdcalls fade early;

wings beat once toward the treeline,

then become quiet.

*

Snow begins to fall,

soft flakes drifting through cold air,

fading as they land.

*

The morning light glows,

fields of white have made it here;

winter wonderland.