Brass Monkey Weather (Poetry)

The dawning light falls
on trees ice-sculpted
twigs frozen brittle
their sap now time-locked
and birdlife absent

The sky holds its threat
like a ransom note
scrawled on grey paper
Winter’s terrorist
set to trigger snow

While chill seeps on through
gets to every part
nothing live immune
blood struggles to flow —
thaw the frosted heart

Water turns to steel
bright untarnished knives
hang from gutters where
faint sun strikes in vain
bids hasty retreat

A short New Year’s day
tucks shadows inside
allows darkness fall
smother edge to edge
as cold conquers all