I thought I should post this in response to my own challenge and at the same time thank all of you who responded and commented. This short piece is slightly different

The trees stand stark and bare 'gainst winters lead grey sky
The snow lays cold and deep and the earth asleep doth lie
No small birds sing, no little things move across the land
The earth in hibernation, a long sleep, as winter makes her stand
I wake once more in early dawn and warmth has come once more
A small bird sings, a green leaf springs from natures open door
Once again the land awakes and life begins anew
And the bitter cold of winter has vanished like the dew