Grey bare limbs quaking
in a cold blue winter sky
while doves mourn the cold

Ice chimes tinkle softly
where the spring becomes a rill
as frogs dream of warmth

In a world frozen
reduced to mere essentials
despair arises

Yet sharp eyes observe
among the dull grays and green
splashes of bright red

Holly berry dots
cardinals flitting, bobbing
like life's blood splashed

Raucous jays on wing
adding their bright blue and white
in small flocks of life

In this time of death
promises of coming life
portend spring will come