Snow's Dominance

Mid-day and yet twilight prevails despite
our surroundings scintillating minute sparks 
of colour emitted from the soft contours of 
fresh snow newly fallen ... and falling ... 
and falling ... throughout the dark hours of
the night and in the daylight hours of the
morning to accumulate muffling the sounds 
of hidden life in the forest, despite the
crowns of deciduous forest trees denuded
in preparation for winter inviting sound
to penetrate. Our footfalls on the forest
trail are muted, the snow not yet crusted
with ice, and our small dogs, jet black
against prevailing white as snow continues
its lazy spirals from the pewter sky 
gambolling before us in an excess of
pleasure at the changed landscape and 
its accompanying texture that moves them
to a transport of delight, provide in their
presence a counterpoint of distinction;
the silent and motionless forest embracing
our presence, the woodland canopy a roof
porous enough to permit snow entry to 
complete its all-encompassing mission to
place the natural world in sleep as nature's
elements of winter's stern reign prevail.
The landscape transformed into a still-life
distinguished by obliterated shades leaving
black, grey and pristine white to dominate.