Christmas Poem
© Copyright 2011
Autumn Writer

Silent forest, leafless trees in frozen night
in darkness shadows rise and come to life—black brigades,
pointed arms, reach out to barricade the Seeking Soul.
The brilliant moon brights a meadow close beyond.
But sullen timbers slumber ‘neath snow blankets, near forgot,
Stumble, fall; the saving light appears so close away.

As snow is foe, it is the ocean on which to sail,
a coverlet hiding all that is—or might seem to be.
Truth disguised, remains in frozen place,
recalled in blurry memory—beware—the forgetful descend to icy fate!
Lonely footprints left behind define the trail, soon to be re-covered.
Mindful steps ply inch by inch the darkened edge of frozen wood in time revealed.

In the hoped-for clearing snow is deeper still.
Grainy powder, swirled up by brazen, scowling wind,
crystal cloud, stings as witch hazel on a fresh-shaved cheek.
Nostrils fill with frozen vapor. A star shines bright through the snowy mist.
Star of stars; Light of light, Master to the full moon’s delight.
Squinting eyes turn heaven-bound. Can the heart find what must be found?

What has been and what is meant to be:
the unknown rightfulness of each act and forgotten deed
The answer, the object of the frozen quest:
O, Star, brighter than the moon, have you come to make it known?
Does your travel through the Heavens bring Truth to this barren land?
And where your Starlight falls to frozen ground, will Wisdom at last be found?

Singing Wind, begot of ice, sting the hungry ears
with crisp replies to questions posed so long ago,
And creaking limbs in yonder glade, sing sweet songs
of a Midnight Star which bears Yuletide Grace to heed.
A man stands naked in the snow,
cloaked in warmth of Starlight, peaceful rest to you, Seeking Soul.