Warm Winters Welcome

It's dark outsie

snap

the cold winds comence

blowing through the timbers

releasing the last of their leaves

knowing to hold them would be to die

slowly.

with serrated blood flowing through the branches

crystallized water eviscerating the veins as it moves toward leaves

that draw no life from the distant sun

until the flow stops.

as the leaf holds

listless, the leaf falls

the woodland slumber calms the day

and the frigid touch of winter hardens the landscape

the snow envelops.

clotting rivers with slush

the raw chill abrades the lake surface

until it, too, is afflicted

calcified.

resolve

for the warmth of winter

scrape at the ice

to the blackened lake beneath

chip, scratch, pick, dig

until the earths blood flows again

seeping through a mesh of fabric

and gripping the flesh

sensational.

nerve endings flare

the body contracts

shock.

heat ripped, frigid water

critical organ function 

numb.

until critical organ failure begins

excruciating pain begins

paralysis begins

terror begins

terror begins

terror.

peace

a flush of heat overcomes

the sensation of life

Warm Winters Welcome

with tranquility

with mortality.

Author's Note

Only through great darkness can you truly appreciate the power of light.