Frost, ice, bare trees.

Mud crunching under foot

deer lazing in the sunshine

feeling the warm winter sun

on their backs.

Frozen water, leaves imprinted

on the ice, crack underfoot

thick shards disappear

under the frozen surface

life continues, tiny creatures swim

looking for an escape.

Those warm days of bare feet

and short sleeves seem just like

a hazy distant dream

we can never return to.