Footfalls in the snow

...Footfalls muffled by the winter snow

                 A fading sun hides on the mountains side..

..The pines shoulder their winter white cloaks..in silence..

                 Crescent moon..like a sickle.. climbs the eastern sky..

...Here the trail races the stream..and falls away to the lake..in shadows..

                  Wood smoke wisps..drift from the house in the valley..

....The light in the window plays hide and seek with the forest trees..

                   The waterfall,.. like a crystal chandelier reflects the star light..

...Through the last stand of pines..the house comes into view..at last...

                   A welcome candle in the window...a fire in the hearth...

...The snow splinters..drifts... and swirls around the door as it opens..

                   letting the warmth of home..spill out into the cold night...

...A whispered... loving greeting...and the door closes..night remains

                   And the snow refills the foot steps..in the woods........