Winter

The wind, crisp and strong
assaults my nostrils
the leaves are so loud underneath my feet
they insult the silence
a break in the paleness of winter
everything is gray
no life
no color
stark, barren and beautiful
smoke from nearby
warms my soul
re-affirms to me that I am alive

my pace remains the same
there is something beautiful about the sky
this season of dormancy
of rest
of renewal
hidden are its activities
but the fruit of spring sing of its faithfulness
it comforts me