Mother's Meadow's Memories

--- inspired by Xtaabay's 'Sound of Snow' challenge ---

The meadow near my house
Overflows in green summer
Underneath golden towers of fluffy clouds,
Drifting westward against the blue.

Full-leafed trees sway with the breeze
And tall grass dances 'neath the feet
Of a thousand playful souls.

Daytime's frogs' and hawks' cries
Echo across the riverbend's limestone cliffs,
Mixing down the screams of children
As they chase pets and playmates.

But now, Mother Winter has decorated
Meadow's joy with peaceful sleep.
Its residents hibernate in wet soil
Waiting for the Earth to tilt.

Pale piled blankets tucked carefully
Around the statuesque bald elms
Guard the lustful dreams
Of boys in their branches
And worms, tickling roots.

The steely blue river gathers drifts
Over the face of its waves in repose,
While it runs quietly, so quietly --
Just beneath the mask of ice.

Gently, softly from the gray heavens,
Messengers of delight glide home,
Touching, blending, building and sighing
The silent journey of Winter's night.

Christmas Eve, 2002