Audience To Mountain Snow

Like an audience to mountain snow
The evergreens all stood below
Wrapped up and warm in snowy cloak
Just as the morning's light first broke

Through clouds that held more winter white;
`Cross hills and dales, beyond my sight.
The wind swooped down and made a pass;
The lake was nature's looking glass

Reflecting sky in grey and blue.
I stood transfixed before the view
Of winter painted on the land;
A masterpiece so close at hand.

A frozen stillness hovered there.
It even stilled the crystal air
And still the trees all gathered `round
As if they stood on hallowed ground.

At Ambleside Beach

Snow on the seawall at Ambleside Beach;
Memories of summer seem so out of reach.
Cold leaves the benches so empty and bare
And only the trees are left standing there

To watch the sun's passage. It gleams on the sea
As wind off the water flows by endlessly.
I stand on the hillside enshrouded in thought
And, just for a moment, it seems I am caught

In the wonder of winter and sun off the shore,
So different than what I have seen here before.
I look at the pattern of ice on the stones
Twisted and broken like derelict bones

And the sidewalks, deserted, reflecting the day
That keeps all the usual people away.
At last I must turn and head back into town,
But my spirits have lifted with sun shining down.

Winter Dancing

Trees dressed in white lace,
Barn dressed in red,
Went winter dancing
As daylight was shed

Over the meadow
Beyond frozen stream.
I watched the magic,
My own winter dream.

Old cows were calling,
Contented to be
Snug in that old barn,
Not wanting to see

The ice on those branches,
Nor snow on the ground;
Not fence posts nor bird prints
I saw all around.

Little Cardinal

Little scarlet cardinal
Feathers ruffled, belly full
You hide deep in a winter tree
But I can tell you're watching me.

You bob and dance against the snow
While Thomcat watches from below
And thinks how tasty you would be.
But you are safe up in that tree,

For Thom is old and much too stiff
To hunt for you. He cannot climb,
So, with disdain, he turns away
And you survive another time.

Oh, how I love your cheery red
Against blue sky and glistening white.
You add a very special note
To winter's day. You make it bright!

Capturing Sunset

Let my eyes capture this fire and this glory.
Let my pen tell its incredible story
Let it speak of that essence of sky
And free floating clouds set aflame on high.

Let the ebony trees be seen below,
Embracing the sun in its final glow
As Apollo is stifled and put to rest
While the last touch of day drops below its crest.

Let the thunder of colours flow deep into
The death of a day in its bloodied hue
And then, like the day, help it slip away
As slowly it seeps into shades of gray.

It's Beautiful Up Here

The day heads to sleep in purple, red and gold
Reflected in the quiet of the pond.
An owl hoots its hunting call to wind and sky,
As if to carry warning out beyond

The chill of winter snow that lies upon the land.
I hear my boots upon the frozen snow
That has a neon tint, surrealistic tone
And holds my shadow footprints as I go.

I shiver as the cold comes brushing with its kiss
And turns my cheeks into a winter red.
It's beautiful up here. I love this hidden path,
But wish I was there with you, now, instead.