Winter

Winter with his hands of lethal skill

Has stripped the final vestiges of green

And sucked from leaves the living chlorophyll

Till only barrenness and death are seen.

Patient with autumn's fiery display

And riotous flair of spring's extravagance

One chill breath upon the verdant day

And all reduced to bleak and frozen trance.

His artist concept, nude and drab and drear,

And palette filled with shades of white and grey,

Stark paintings sign the ending of the year

And beauty lost that once had lived a day

In patience waits renaissance of the spring

On his cold grave to dance and laugh and sing.