Dressing Trees (Poetry)

The snow has been back again
to dress the trees
and now they stand tall as courtiers
proud in the presence of their queen
her frigid face peers down
between a pillowing of cloud
grey with majesty and largesse
to rule December’s scene.

The forest freeze-framed and transformed
to monotone — a masked ball with whispered music
the breeze fusses with a few stray flakes —
pins them to uplifted limbs
while the moon watches, critical
pointing out uneven folds
in the fall and flow of trailing skirts —
loose threads of white that drift.

In fits and starts, more flurried puffed designs
layer — tuck and dart — embellish sleeves —
invisible neat stitches
tack and bead
a mulitude of snow-gowns —
every added ruffle, frill and flounce
the trademark of high fashion —
some visionary’s cryptic work of art.