The beauty fades as their shadows shrink

What yet remains for those barren bones?

Unforgiving waves of winter

Hammer harshly upon their vulnerable veins.

Standing though swaying

A memorized movement

A rhythm well-rehearsed,

Their limbs lay outstretched

Reaching for ones that left,

But before long they are met

By another season, with a reasonable request.

To hold their cold in those hands,

Atop their fingers it collects

Again, supported, their sway subsides

Reminded of all they’ve once carried,

Of their steadfast roots, long since buried

And while this too shall pass

They’ll forgive that frozen fray;

It was never meant to last

But to simply slow their sway.