winter’s snow
snowflake
melts
in
my
hand
disappearing like a dream
and turning into tears
drops
hitting
the
ground
and uniting with the soft snow
I look up at the sky
dark
clouds
heavy
above
my head
I stare and notice more snow falling down
in the shape of heavenly snowflakes
miraculous
on
their
own
formed and sculptured in the shape of
perfectly
designed
stars
twisting and whirling themselves
in the white galaxy
of crystal ice
Tableau
So away fly the birds with their song
When the days become short, nights are long
The hard ground will be dusted with snow
And the evergreens' needles will glow
Left behind, only ones that belong
In the winter, harsh winds they'll be strong
Moving snow drifts and people along
The tall grass and the tree trunks don't grow
Away fly the birds
In the cold, heavy clouds do prolong
Hoary frosts that cling tight to the lawns
And the mammals that burrow below
Don't emerge so their numbers won't show
In the stillness of snow-covered dawn
Away fly the birds
(c) 2017 Miriam Ruff
[A rondeau in anapestic trimeter.]