for the sky
limbs  held high
swirling  sunset  
draped like a  cape
  about  rigid shoulders
finally
that   velveteen  night
sprinkled  with  ghost stars
hides your  frozen frame    
for a few tame
hours
until  the haze
of morning
streaked
with  a tiny   tease
of  sunlight
highlights
your barren offering
Spring  seems so
far away
you stand firm
against
the naked elements
drawing
graceful patience
from
age old roots
in the slumbering soil
raising hopes
sky high
for an early
vernal equinox

down the hill
over the train tracks
through the  abandoned
farmer's market
parking lot
past  last fall's  crispy
refugees
follow the stark tree lines
right up to
those normally plain
windows
glimmering   golden
   like stained glass
with sunrise
painting every pane
on  God's house
  on the hill