Forest Still Life

In the frozen white sanctuary of the
forest all is still, not a murmur sounds
no movement can be discerned
for there is none to be witness though
peace prevails and the forest has
the aspect of a cathedral with none
to absorb its atmosphere of calm. It
is an illusion for there are forces of
nature that bend the forest to their will.
A bitter winter wind gusts high above
the bare canopy shifting the latest
winter storm from crowns to forest
floor. Small creatures of the forest
their habitat under siege hibernate
yet remain attuned to vicissitudes of
prevailing temperature, wind and snow
briefly venturing from their havens
to tempt bitter fate. Here and there 
sudden errant icy breezes loose tufts
of billowy snow from laden branches
to tumble in an iridescent veil to the
snow below so lazily transparent yet
brief it could represent a magical feint.