On crisp January mornings <br />Autumn has long surrendered <br />to Winter's deathly embrace. <br />I stare transfixed as breath emerges tangible, <br />floats lucent above shrub's bones <br />to shatter soundless against bare branches. <br />Frost glisters off leafy carpets <br />& air is brittle with nascent light. <br />My eyes follow rising breath towards <br />clouds scudding past distant trees; <br />parting to reveal a cold epiphany of blue. <br />Sunlight burgeons, displaying earth <br />in Wintry shades of brown & gray <br />except th'enduring greens of pine & cedar: <br />Reminders life is not bound in Winter's tomb <br />& will surely fulfill an implicit promise of Spring. <br /> <br />(30 July 2005)<br /><br />Hugh Cobb<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/life-in-death-winter-s-paradox/
