At first, the sun ascended the winter sky.

the day then declared, banishing the dark;

the deep hours of persistent night.

At first, the new snow fallen sparkled

under the light of the shining sun

as if brilliant diamonds were

dispersed in the white frozen surface.

And soon a solitary hare and a squirrel

jumped and ran about on a

creation of ways that interweave

across the ice-crusted pale ground.

At first the oaks, the elm trees,

and the trees of maple,

removed bare of their clothes,

their perfumed autumn garments of resin,

stood resolute to guard this silent scene

where, in the end, there remains

a soft calmness across the ghostly drifts

of twinkled whiteness.

At first a search in the quiet mind:

the trip begins of the thoughtful one

where the heart leads the soul to a

place of relaxing peace.