Winter's Walk

 A cold breeze crosses my covered face
I stop, taking in the refreshing frigid air into my lungs,
while staring at the splendor of the snow covered world around me. It’s quiet, only the silent crunch of my foot-falls echo
against the stark whiteness of the fresh fallen snow.

The forest is a winter wonderland that called me out of my house today, beckoning me to don my hat and coat and venture out into this winter wasteland.

Now that I’m here, I’m puzzled as to why. I have never like the winter, preferring instead the summer, but here I am walking through the wet snow.

There are no animals within this forest which scurries away from me, no birds flying high or squirrels scampering up a tree.
Nothing is making a sound here but me as I march absently through this thicket of low branches and down tress. Yet, I go on walking toward what I don’t know.

I turn toward a path I have never seen before. The snow is thick and lush there, virgin, a path not yet trampled by the hand of man.  I ponder whether to go back, but as I do, I find myself stepping toward this unknown trail.

My feet and hands are frozen; it’s becoming hard to breath. I’m blind now from the snow and tears; however I’m pushed to continue my path, although, I do not know my destiny.

Hours I tread frozen through snow, stumbling over rocks and trees, alone on this burden track of tears.
Alone with my silent thoughts I walk, aware only now why I came out under these severe conditions.

Tired, my walking done, I sit down next to an old oak tree.
The frigid air surrounds me in its cold arms, and I know that it is here he will find me at daybreak.

His words were harsh, his tongue brutal, they led me out into this weather in haste.

He found me hours later, ice-covered, still seating under the tree. Weeping bitter tears of regret , he embraces my frozen body, with its single crystal tear.

Now each night I walk this path in his nightmare, where he continually finds me too late.
Its become my fright to have to take that nightly winter's walk.