Becoming the Color of Winter

When the world tilts toward darkness 

    and seasons of color wane, 

        as you feel life ebbing, look for me: 

I am the glint on evergreens 

    lit against the clear embrace 

        of cold air cleansed on Arctic ice. 

I am the swath of bare terrain 

    of ochre earth and umber mud 

        softened in a misting rain. 

I’m the stubble field of muted tan 

    suffused in amber overtones 

        streaked with shades of fading sun. 

And I’m the warmth of dancing light 

    above a base of burning embers 

        cradled in layers of ash. 

Deep into a sleepless night 

    on the bitter edge of winter, 

        I will be your summer dream 

of sea-green tinged with deep blue hues 

    framed by sunbeams slicing through storms 

        that rumble along the horizon.