Winter Afternoon

written january 6, 2006

true refreshment - moreso than an infinite number of chilled drinks or icy dips in a pool,
is the crisp vigour of softly tumbling downy flakes
drenched in the aura of afternoon sun.

from the tip of each pine needle
carelessly lies the curvacious form of a frozen droplet,
poised perfectly at the utmost moment of fall.

for the surreal character of the beauty, the irresistible object,
clings to the unchanging force;
since any component of nature is never truly stagnant.

behind the pane of glass, a wick blackens and bends,
struggling against an invisible foe.
thrashing wildly, it struggles to be tall and strong
like it once began.

but the persistent orange flame silently consumes it;
so slowly it appears nearly peaceful, like the aging of youth
into the acceptance of an unavoidable death.

calm consumes the imagination;
but the primitive instruments tick ever onwards,
encapsulating the memory in the archives of an eternity
that will remain unheard.