Winter Release

The narrow banks of the forested
ravine's creek are snowbound
in acquired layers over the
winter season's repeated and
frequent snow events when
wind-shifting billowing snow
blanketed the woods sheltering
birds and animals instinctively
preparing for the long night of
cold, some to migrate, others to
hibernate until nature repents
returning warmth and life to the
trees laid gaunt and bare escaping
the threats inherent in the three
partners of the season; cold, wind
and ice. Winter's resolve is now
on its fading downward slope
relentless cold and snow succumbing
to creeping warmth with the sun
gathering its golden promise
approaching the spring equinox
and rain begins to wash the snow
into a seasonal melt tunnelling
toward the forest floor to be freed
from its icy bondage as mist rises
over the tumbling, swollen creek.