Winter

when winter arrives
and skies turn darker early in the day
a little passageway unfolds in front of me
a passageway that leads to a warmer, brighter place
one that resides within my heart's embrace

(so i retrace those faded footsteps
along the silver filaments
and cross the plains of cinnamon
to find my way in this world of inconsistence
through the seasons' changes)

when winter arrives
and rimes the window sills, snowing on the nestled hills
chilly mornings begin to nip at your toes
and wandering roes spring to your doorstep
on colorful postcards from many seaports
unknown to your quiescent soul:
a delicate stay-at-home

when winter arrives
skies turn darker early in the day
scent of cloves in stewed prunes and honey cakes
captivates the tiny ceremonials of everyday
and quiet winter evenings
like logs burning in the fireplace
scintillate before your sleepy eyelids

when winter arrives
stars start to tremble through the pallor of the falling snow
a piercing glow coming from the window panes
reverberates into the billow of the night's darkness
and through the blizzards and icy snow drifts
lost passengers can find their way
in this harbor of brightness

(for the city is always awake
and spirited enough to take in the stray souls
that anchor their ships in the arms of its wharves
and seek to dispel solitude and allay the coldness
of the lasting winter nights)