December Afternoon

Through a forest of maple and hemlock,
winter sun, gossamer and golden,
pauses briefly these December afternoons
to drape thin promise veils of light
trunk to trunk,
coy, ornamental silken scarves,
woven gold, transparent fine,
promises of warm Spring.

But blue ice creeps
around again, every evening,
following the shadows,
then Christmas comes to darkness
with ornamental promises of its own,
greater than gold fine spun,
carols like wood sprites,
with little colored lights,
serreptitiously,
planting seeds of redemption,
peace and good will,
hopes of never ending life,
intimations of love,
everywhere generously,
carelessly .
profligately.

in the morning,
for those who look,
all nature blooms
with inner light.