Your breath white like steam gently 

hangs in sway

 

Cloaked in novelty, it's now a

winter game 

 

A puff from your chest out

of your mouth

 

A picture you paint when cold

air allows

 

Squirrels pitter-patter, a chase

in the trees

 

A distant garbage truck booms,

bangs and squeaks

 

Sun crawls higher reflecting

off your brow

 

The stroke of your breath much

softer now 

 

Sleepy pond stirs mirroring the

morning sky

 

Fingertips illuminate warming

as you write 

 

You play again with giddiness and 

release it

 

Moments after your lips, rays melt it

like magic

 

Frost on green blades dissolves

into dew

 

Phantom Florida Winter, we bid

you adieu!

 

 

© Candice Reineke 2022