Nightmare of Winter

By Brandy Vaughn

As the wind whips across the tree line

Wailing and intimidating down through the valley

It pricks the skin as a thousand needles.

Burning and blinding,

Tearing and slicing,

There’s no absolution from Boreas.

The cold rage burns as the conch is blown

Tendrils of hoarfrost seize, torment, and wrench.

Nothing escapes the beady eyes

As your fears and deceptions glisten like an echo paralleled,

Dark days are ruled in a confinement of isolation.

In the darkness of night,

The icy breath of winter creates the dying earth.

Bitter soil hardens beneath the talons of ice.

The scream recites the blood-thirsty panorama,

To end the darkness and dispirit.