Do I know winter?

I don’t know winter well,

but I can still hear its whisper.

A creeping intention

before first flight.

Its frosty wings unfurl

as it sends out its troops,

nipping noses one by one.

A coat, a hat, a scarf, a fire,

fighting off the chill with warmth

of friends and family and quiet nights.

Leaves once vibrant fall to earth

and exposed branch preens in their place.

Gone are pumpkins, forgotten is candy;

here comes hot cocoa and homemade soups.

Wooly socks meet woven blankets while

sturdy boots meet slippery paths.

Even if you aren’t familiar with her icy intricacies,

you can still feel the cold hand of winter’s grasp.