15 January 1999

IceWorld

The winter wind came howling down out of the North, bringing with it snow and ice and frozen rain that coated the world with its deadly sheen.

Everywhere, on every surface, an envelope of purest silver, drenched in sunlight, brightly gleaming, turns the world to fairy-tale glass.

The birds perch precariously, on gilded edges, made slick with freeze, while the squirrels chitter and beg and scratch, impotently.

Feet slip and slide, they find no grip, as I go down upon one knee, I'm forced to bend, to genuflect, to the harsh season's King.

Tomorrow will come and bring what it will, but winter is here and no coat can shut out the chill.

Winter is here and with it the IceWorld, of glimmer-fairies, glass castles and coldest death.