Winter

The blistering winds

The bare branches

The cold that seeps into your bones

The relentless winter

Is upon us

Can you hear its hushed tones?

You know it is true

When they say

That nothing burns like the cold!

Merciful are the fires

Huddled around which

Are both the young and old 

Treasured are those

First rays of sun

When people forget their troubles and woes

The old stretch their legs out

And children come out to play

Warmth is a luxury even the poor can afford!

Summer is the seductress

Bountiful as ever

While Winter is a teacher – patient and wise

A hard way indeed

To educate us on the virtues

Of Perseverance and Sacrifice

What good

Is the warmth of summer?

Without the cold of winter to give it sweetness

The wise one teaches us

To survive another day

So we welcome next Winter with begrudging fondness