For now I am the winter
beneath the mask
revealed beneath the
cold water of the sea.
Eyes open to the sky
above the surface
breath held as snow begins.
For now I am the winter
overtaking the autumn
slowing rivers and lakes
the graying sky swallows the sun.
For now I am the winter
beneath tall trees
releasing snow and ice
as they bow toward the earth.
Emerging from the trees shadow
I stopped moving,
looked up at the winter sky
and finally breathed, inhaling
this world, this scene, and exhaled
what has been holding me back,
what has become the burdens I carry.
Today I became the winter.
