In the coldness, there is warmth

Air frozen in time.

Earth covered in white.

Tracks of life scattered about…

the cautious cottontail searching for

a blade of grass,

the energetic gray squirrel hunting for

a buried acorn cache,

the shy but loud Pileated woodpecker,

gingerly picking off winterberries

from a nearby shrub,

the raucous Blue Jay

clinging to an oak branch,

absorbing the sun’s warming rays.

In mid-January,

the sun’s appearance is a blessing.

The clouds of Winter have hid

and the sky,

a vivid life-affirming azure shade

of blue,

warms the spirit,

even if the body shivers.

The noise of the world is hushed

and its pace slowed.

Daydreams and what-ifs have

the opportunity to take control

of the mind.

To close the eyes

and remember a life that has passed

and life yet to come.

This snow of white has covered the

evil in the world,

the hatred that has stained it

in shades of blood red.

A purification of sorts.

If only it would linger…

but that is fantasy.

The world revolves

and moves through space

about the warming Star.

One day soon Spring will return

bestowing its blessings upon life,

and all will,

once again,

rejoice.

But for now,

I face the brilliant sunshine

on this January day

and give thanks

as I look upon the long shadows

of the oak

and its branches

stretched across the surface of white.

My spirit is refreshed.

In the coldness,

there is

indeed

warmth.