Bright blue sky with a half moon  
Snow stubbornly clung to the limbs of the maple tree.  

The winds howled in fury and might.  
How will all of nature’s critters survive this long night?  
Their fluffy feathers and huddled flock 
got them through the darkest of the dark 

and in the morning they greet me still 
They nibble and grab the seed in my feeder 
and gather their strength once more 

Despite the fury and might
We might just get out of this blistery cold without a fight.  
The fright is aplenty as any can show.  
I still enjoy the spectacle of snow

The fire’s aglow and it keeps us warm.  
I dare not step outside again 
Come spring we celebrate 

the darkest of the dark we weathered 
and grew in wisdom and time  

Inner resilience and self-reliance 
can get us through this storm