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