Waiting For the Season of Snow and Ice

I wasn’t ready

Not this morning

This 16th day of November

When yesterday the sounds 

Of waning autumn

Of crunching leaves

Of scampering squirrels

Of newly lit roaring fires

Echoed through the passing moments

 

And neither was I ready

This late afternoon

As blowing winds 

Herded gathering shadows

Into the blanket of darkness

 

 

Despite my unreadiness

There it was

Here it is

A hint of the season 

Of snow and ice

Just above my head

Descending on the air

Teasing me and

Reminding me

Of what will soon arrive

The cold

The ice

The snow

The dark

That always 

Envelopes me first

With cold and fright

But then gives way to

Breath taking beauty

And dazzling radiance

And hues of color and light

That only appear

Can only be seen

In winter 

 

What is it about 

The season of snow and ice

That makes me dread it so

Until

That first day

When I stand in the cold wind

Eyes closed

Feeling the tingle 

Of snowflakes

Hit my cheeks

Until I open my eyes

And notice that once again

Wonder has descended

Upon me

And lifted me up

And twirled me around

And around

And around again

 

It is as if the magic

Of winter

Wishes to hide

Until that exact moment

And then surprises me 

With laughter and pure delight

 

Today

I glimpsed that magic

There ahead of me

Not fully within my reach

As drops of crystal clear ice

Marched along tree branches

And across red Autumn leaves

That haven’t quite let go

 

Maybe this time

Maybe this year

The season of snow and ice

Will arrive without dread

Because I am ready

 

I am ready for so much

As Winter

Rushes toward me

 

I am ready for

A world without fear

A season of hope

A message of mercy

A time of peace

For all people

 

May it be so.

 

 

Poem and photos © Alicia Randolph Rapking, November 17, 2018