Biting, nasty cold
Wind chill well below zero
Everything hard and sharp
Wind patiently sanding the drifts smooth
Branches breathe heavily
whistle and sigh
Sound of wind across an open field
Crunch of footfalls in snow
And then— a bird song
Warm and casual
Little wad of warmth
hidden in a ruffle of feathers
Life singing into the very breath
of death
My friend, in this rough world
the soul abides
Take courage, soul, and sing,
sing praise
For even the deepest cold
of a darkening winter
is no match
for you