Winter of a Childhood

The fog rolls in masking the once vivid,

pulsating young leaves.

It's winter, settling in once more.

Trees withdrawing from their cold,

stark surroundings tucking their life-giving sap deep within, shielded,

secluded from the grip of death the breath-taking bitterness of the cold

Safeguarded till once more the earth restores the energy of the sun.

The haze rolls in blanketing her eyes,

eyes that once danced with childhood fantasies.

It's winter, settling in once more.

Masterminding a way to survive the inevitable long winter's sleep,

The child withdraws from her hostile, heartless world,

tucking the exposed young life deep within, secluded, safe,

hidden from their clutch of death and the breath-taking agony of childhood.


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