Nature's Faithful

Weighted by a crystalline layer
of ice, delicately frosted with
snow, the glittering burden
delightful to the eye
has brought pine boughs
sweeping the winter-gripped
landscape in a graceful swoon
as though the trees were
distorted in an agony of
pietical adoration of their
omnipotent maker whose nature
it is to visit upon the patiently
suffering forest slumbering
through cold and icy blasts
existential challenges to the
very vision of their obeisance
to this divine authority.