Seasons

In gentle clusters weaving 
in the slow, cold wind of
early winter, snow gathers
on tree trunks, branches
and needles of pine and spruce,
hemlock and fir, limning
their surfaces in startling
white against the sere backdrop
that fall has left awaiting
winter's entrance. The morning
dawned with a silver sky, no
need for clouds as heaven
released an unremitting 
veil of ethereal flakes
misting the atmosphere
bewitching the landscape,
sending woodland creatures
to a mad frenzy of late-season
foraging in a depleted cupboard,
nature's bounty temporarily
exhausted, awaiting spring.