winter prowls on stealthy feet

circling the land

where summer held her golden court

and thrust a heavy hand

 

silently she bleeds the sky

of color and of light

quietly she apprehends

the day and then the night

 

soft at first her footsteps fall

along the streets and ways

stealing in to take the throne

till all her will obeys

 

first the leaves fall carelessly

their colors all askew

then the northern winds do blow

freezing all the dew

 

soon the ices and the rains

come to play and dance

while i and my beloved stay

inside in winters trance

 

watching as the wind and rain

and snow play out their roles

sipping tea and chocolate

warming both our souls

 

winter prowls on stealthy feet

her first appearance mute

silencing the world with cold

until the springs first shoot

 

bare tree