Again the turn of the year brings those shorter, colder days...and yet, from here out the daylight again begins to grow longer...

The world grows softer around the seams,
The bare bone trees stretch to gray skies,
Frost clings to the fading leaves,
And the sun seems somehow so very much weaker.
And within this the pale light gleams,
It's waning rays easy on tired eyes,
As the breath through cool air cleaves,
And the heart and soul becomes a seeker.
Seeking the places where the ancients came,
Seeking the mysteries that we no longer see,
Seeking 'neath the stone and through the wood,
Seeking the answers that were never there.
Seeking that peace that has no true name,
Yet we will know it if it comes free,
And will embrace it if we only could,
Seeking that reason yet to care.
So let the flower lie asleep 'neath the soil,
Let the trees doze in empty solitude,
Napping 'neath low clouded skies,
To rest until Spring awaken them once again.
And so will I take rest from the heavy toil,
And take solace in the softer mood,
Finding peace in this place where Winter lies,
Snuggled safe and warm in my hibernating den.