Slivers of Silver and White dangle from frigid walls, moonlight shines bright through the clear frozen windows and bounces around the facets of the frozen jewels that adorn the spires and stairways. The ceiling shines like a thousand stars as each frozen Diamond bounces faint Blue light back down to the floor. Adorned in a gown of winter white, the princess of the frozen kingdom whirls around and dances in her winter dream. Deep in the frozen heart of the coldest places, she is adored and cherished. With eyes closed she feels the chill of her castle that will stand until the sun comes to reclaim it's own. Until then she will dream of life in her frozen palace of wonder.

I am flawed and not yet complete. I work very hard to be better, but I often fail. I am judgmental but I try not be. I can be cynical though it profits me nothing. I want to succeed but I am not sure what it looks like. I want to be a difference maker, but I cannot find where to start. I am a hot mess sometimes but I am trying to get that straightened out. I stumble because I keep falling into potholes, but I am fixing them as quickly as I can. Be patient with me and consider that we are more alike than you would admit. Please forgive my imperfections, I am a work in progress.

Words scrawled on a suicide note, written on a tear stained paper. The last mentions of a lonely and ignored soul. Laying in agony, ridiculed and misunderstood. The words were so simple, yet they would tear your heart into. The limp body laying beside the paper and pen, lifeless and blue. Only wanting to be acknowledged, only wanting to feel loved. The poor tortured soul now rest with the angels above. What could be so heart wrenching that could be written on a single piece of paper you see. With ever tear stained word, all that was said is please don't forget me.

I see a homeless man pushing a shopping cart. He talks to himself as he goes on. His clothes are torn and ragged, he looks straight ahead as I go by. I walk into a restaurant to have a bite to eat, I look out the window and gaze down the street. I see a woman with a small child by the hand, I almost cry as I see her digging through a garbage can. I listen to the radio on my way to where I live, I hear all of the complaining and people saying how bad it really is. I get close to my house and I pass under a bridge, I see a person laying in a cardboard box because he has no place to live. I think of all of the situations I see each and everyday. I bow my head and ask God why it must be this way. Then I remember that we all have choices to make. We can sit by and do nothing or do what it takes. A few dollars that we can spare or a kind word of encouragement you see. I then thank God for what I have, because I realize that could be me.

Monolithic trees standing silent as if frozen by time. Stone giants rising into the sky, reaching for something that I cannot see. Petrified remembrances of a time long past. A connection to what once was and may never be again. Animals run among the monuments and birds light upon their frozen limbs. The sun reflects off of their crystalline bark as I walk among them. So much is preserved and so much is forgotten, in the stone forest where petrified trees wait quietly for another day to pass.

The leaves change and turn the colors of the rainbow. The moon shines bright and the cool breeze makes lovers embrace a little closer. New families bundle their precious jewels of joy up snugly as they venture out into the waning sun. The nights come ever quicker and the stars seem to shine a little brighter. Hearts seem to grow more melancholy towards family and dear friends. New lovers find the harvest moon enticing as they wander off for time alone.  The world seems to settle a little away from the vibrant waves of summer, things take on a slower pace and a softer hue. Peace can be found in quiet stolen moments as love comes in the fall.