Tasmanian Europa Poets' Gazette No 88, August 2011

Winter Warrior

Like a mighty warrior,

with frigid breath so raw,

Winter sweeps across the land

to conquer all that stands before.

Mighty trees just bend and quiver,

then shed their dying leaves,

while bulbs cringe down in sodden

soil to survive the killing freeze.

Thus winter rules supreme and

with sleeting winds it roars

until it’s once more vanquished

by springtime’s warmth that thaws.

For winter, with its armaments

of storms and thunderous lightning,

remains ’til spring doth arm herself

with increased daylight brightening.

Then winter’s rage will be allayed,

its ice-clad fury spent,

to hide away until recharged,

then return next year, hell bent.

© Pete Stratford July 9, 2011