Daylight is Waning

The daylight is waning; the perception of warmth is dying with it

Stalactites seem to hang precariously from the edge of the roof

Their incessant dripping halted for the next few hours of darkness

While the craters in the snow beneath them form crystallized cups

Eager to hold the next day’s catch, liquefied by the sun’s radiance

Snow still covers the ground, now in a dusky yellow-grey color

Mimicking the diluted palate that veils the western edge of the sky

The dark scraggy branches of the trees dissolve into the murkiness above

Soon points of light begin to appear scattered loosely across the heavens

Then filling the void between them countless smaller specks come alive

The night sky glimmers and glitters like snowflakes in the moonlight 

Turning from the front window the flickering candle flames replace the stars

Filling the room with fragrances of pine and cinnamon while whips of smoke dance into the air

Warming the darkening room for a short time…