With breath that joins, like clouds, the frigid air
My cheeks are roses, frozen red until
I reach the hearth; such life awaits me there
Where I at last escape the winter’s chill

With little left of laughter my tears fall
Upon the brittle seeds in winter’s vise
And freeze amidst the grass, no longer tall
But cool and brown–

–the temper of the wise

As my heart flutters with remembered hurt
And so my eyes recall the curséd scene
My body lights with energy, alert
I am not where I am, but where I’ve been

I woke beside my slowly-breathing love
And out the window spied the falling snow
The skies were grey and dreary up above
The floors were cold and creaky down below

But then I threw a log onto the fire
And sang a merry tune with loved ones near
And what a morning glad should then transpire
To push away all sadness, hate, and fear

Though cold has come and with it dims the sun
And greens and reds have given way to grey
For every dreary day so is there one
That breaks the clouds and takes the cool away