A twinkle, twinkle from up above reflects a dance of winter love. Her beauty mirrors the cold night air and calls out in search of someone near.  My eyes catch hers, and she’s dazed. Her eyes sparkle, and I’m amazed. Her quick smile, so entrancing. How is it with me she’s dancing?  Up and down, ...

Wrapped in layers of thoughts, I recall the unsaid things that slip away in the moment– like how my breath fogs the air, disappearing into silence.  My heart sinks below zero, buried beneath the snow, falling flat, untouched, until the blanket of ice melts, uncovering the surface of my bare core. Editor: Shannon Hensley

As I enter the bedroom, Jeffrey shuts the door behind me, and I flinch. He narrows his eyes in my direction but does not comment. Instead, he busies himself by stuffing the space underneath the door with what looks like a blanket. I slowly make my way towards Ace, who has settled in his bed ...

“What the hell do you want?” Jeffery barks as if oblivious to the howling wind and swirling snow behind me. I take a deep breath, reminding myself to be humble. Then, I force the words I was rehearsing the entire walk over. “A truce,” I say, and shove the fruitcake I baked the night before ...

With the days growing shorter, I can’t help but long For Spring’s embrace— A bloom of hope and awakening; A fresh breath of life again. But for now, the sun’s radiance glows, While frost clings to the edge of my soul— I wait for the streams to dissolve my winter blues. Editor: Michelle Naragon & ...

TheOld YearIs finished.She closed her eyesAnd wrapped herself inA robe of ice and wind.As she dreamed of renewal,We shivered in the frigid nightAnd cried out for the warmth of the sun. Editor: Michelle Naragon & Shannon Hensley  

The scent of cedar permeates the air as you stand there, watching the traffic pass you by. Your hair is pulled away from your face in a low-rise ponytail, and the beanie you have on your head is one you have never worn before. You’re not used to the coldness you can feel seeping in ...

Crisp white flakes pour down They paint earth’s brown canvas bright They bring forth new life

nature softly starts to slumberover the coldness that winter bringsvibrant are the leaves yet stilleven before the winter chillmoans of the trees creaking bonesbrittle as they start to becomeeven before the world spinsrenewing the cycle of life

softly the petals of a flower falllanding upon the slowly browning eartha chill starting to take hold in the airthe last vestiges of summer drifting away one lone bloom fighting to remain uprightit’s not death it resists, but the long days of sleepthe forced hibernation the cold weather bringsthe endless cycle of rising and falling ...