Winter Psalms

Cold syllables of crystal sigh; snow praises sky, spins gifts of light throughout the night, until the world is smooth as milk. Pearl-shadowed silk slips over ponds. The earth responds with song of wings uplifted pass and silver grass in winter's voice - Rejoice! Rejoice! Like starlight woven into lace, sharp nettles grace the window glass where children pass to press their pennies on the panes. Translucent strains of thistled vine and leaves entwine the circles of the copper psalms, embedded alms in winter's voice - Rejoice! Rejoice!