January Snow

Snow arrives in the night,

descends swiftly down during

the frosty January day.

It defines barren branches

and settles in large, white puffs

on the sturdy evergreens.

Juncos appear below feeder,

scratch the small drifts

to seek needed morsels.

As shadows stretch across

the balcony, flakes finally fade

and the forest falls into

a dark and quiet repose.

Lainie Senechal