The lakes of ice gleam bluer than the lakes <br />Of water 'neath the summer sunshine gleamed: <br />Far fairer than when placidly it streamed, <br />The brook its frozen architecture makes, <br />And under bridges white its swift way takes. <br />Snow comes and goes as messenger who dreamed <br />Might linger on the road; or one who deemed <br />His message hostile gently for their sakes <br />Who listened might reveal it by degrees. <br />We gird against the cold of winter wind <br />Our loins now with mighty bands of sleep, <br />In longest, darkest nights take rest and ease, <br />And every shortening day, as shadows creep <br />O'er the brief noontide, fresh surprises find.<br /><br />Helen Hunt Jackson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-calendar-of-sonnets-december/
