Winter is Upon Us

Winter is upon us. Finally. It took a while this year.
I am going through some difficult, personal things right now that have made me feel very sad lately.
Winter isn't helping much. Snow is one thing, but the bone-chilling cold makes everything seem more depressing.
As Robert Byrne said, "Winter is nature's way of saying, 'Up yours'."

...but it can still be quite beautiful.

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Winter by Walter de la Mare

Clouded with snow
The cold winds blow,
And shrill on leafless bough
The robin with its burning breast
Alone sings now.
The rayless sun,
Day's journey done,
Sheds its last ebbing light
On fields in leagues of beauty spread
Unearthly white.
Thick draws the dark,
And spark by spark,
The frost-fires kindle, and soon
Over that sea of frozen foam
Floats the white moon.

I know I haven't been around very much lately, so I don't know how many of you are still paying attention to me around here.
But I hope everyone is doing well.