thunder ceases when winter arrives
raindrops and hailstones turn to weightless flakes
that melt on exposed pink tongues

all color has been sucked out of nature
some try replacing it with ornaments and electric lights,
not realizing that a neutral atmosphere can be beautiful

holiday spirit is a communicable disease
some, unfortunately, are immune to it

people sing and dance
they think not of themselves, but of those they love
gifts and warm hugs given
smiles grow and multiply

lovers take greater risks
as mistletoe is harvested
and anonymous candygrams are sent
younger children groan
they will someday understand

earth's anniversary arrives
and neighborhoods compete on new-year's eve
in the loudest-and-most-annoying-countdown contest
a winner is chosen
and soon forgotten
"next year,"
a sore loser mumbles across his side of the hedge

winter feels at home
and stays through february and valentine's day;
until about late march
when frosty slowly melts into a charcoal-messed puddle,
his carrot some starved raccoon's lunch

color seeps back into the outdoor world's palette
yellow daffodils and purple tulips
spring up
and grass grows green again

goodbye to winter,
man's most cheerful cold-shouldered friend.