winter

the world falls silent
and death seems imminent;
the last leaf has fallen
from the oak
and the last bird has migrated south.

hues of gray
add to the gloom in this frozen world.
naked, ugly branches claw at the sky
as the harsh wind becomes harsher still.

the sun cannot be seen
and its warmth seems long lost.
time has stopped and beauty has died.
winter has arrived.