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

(30 July 2005)

Hugh Cobb

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/life-in-death-winter-s-paradox/