Winter's Lace

Winter opened its vaults last night, 
flinging fistfuls of crystalline 
diamonds into the darkening sky.

Like white-tulled ballerinas 
dancing gracefully on heaven's stage, 
silent stars stood entranced 
by their intricate beauty.

Motionless, 
I watched each lacy gem 
drift softly by my upturned face, 
as winter's icy hands guided them gently 
on their swirling lazy way, 
and blanketed the waiting earth 
in cold splendor. 

The shivering rustling of reeds, 
the restless fingers of the trees snapping in the frosty air, 
broke the silent stillness, 
as winter quietly pulled up its white coverlet 
over the sleepy earth.