Here we are in the heart of winter, surrounded and confounded by massive amounts of snow. That such wondrous stuff can also wreak havoc upon our lives is a given at this time of year. As we forge our way through these challenging days, look for chances to embrace this season that has a stark beauty like no other. Choose to experience winter in a way that celebrates all that it has to offer.

Snow

The black dog dives,

parts the frothy foam of

crystal and accumulation

drives the fluff of temporary

isolation into faulty walls that

slither into avalanche, then

fade to paths packed

by sloshing boot and nimble paw.

The bird jots its hasty

note in jigs and

jags, in exclamation and

burst, across ephemeral

powdered page

blown out of existence

by erasure, white slate

swept empty.

The wind strikes the freshly fallen flakes

free from the stricture of sculpted form,

gathers a body load of frilly

frosted air, twirls its catch to some

driven beat, flinging the white

feathers like a castoff heart,

the art of snow

is its art-less-ness.

© Sandy Long

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