Outside the snow falls quick and soft
the quiet earth hums to itself.
The gray-limbed trees hold hearts aloft
beneath the sheltered silver sky.

Outside the snowdrop bulb dreams deep,
of frozen stars flung high above.
The drowsy brook stirs slow to keep
the snowflakes’ fading sketches.

Outside the cardinals still murmur,
spark down to peck at scattered seeds.
The harvest bonfire remembers summer,
entwined by frost in crystal sleep.

All this I see through feathered glass,
my furred companion by my side.
And a long, dark night it is I’ll pass,
my lantern glowing on the sill;
and a long, dark night it is I’ll pass
till morning comes again.