I sat by the fire alone,
Snug in my blanket of thoughts –
Incessant.
The wood turned Amber,
And then dark like the thoughts –
Unpleasant.

I looked out of the window,
At the snow covered stillness –
Silent.
And a loan leaf clung on,
To the lonely tree in wilderness –
Resilient.

I praised its resolve
To be connected, to stay -
Forever.
With every blow of the wind,
It grew stronger, unafraid-
Vigor.

Then came the storm
Injuring the lonesome silence –
Blood.
A battle lost, a battle won,
The flinching fist left the leaf to fall –
Thud.