Winter Frost

The air was plunged deep into winter frost. Birds cried as they furiously flapped their way to warmer countries. Squirrels frantically scoured the lands to fill their stomachs before sleeping away their worries. Feeling the glacial mist enveloping the city, the animals cowered into dark corners. They waited for the frozen age to pass, they waited for the greenery to come back.

The trees shed their clothing, the pale snow too much of a burden for them. They rid themselves of their essence, stripped down to bare bones. The skeletal arms of bushes and shrubs line the neighbourhoods like lonely souls on an empty street without even a small bud of life.

The few remnants of leaves on the naked twigs were brown and shrivelled. They sagged under the loss of life, they hung down in shame. Even the force of a soft wind sent them fluttering into the breeze, flitting uselessly to the ground. The ground which was just as vacant; the patches of dirt were empty shells. The flowers no longer sang in the golden afternoon. The grass was yellow and wilted, they no longer rippled in the breeze.

But the life was still there, it was always there. Old lives were shed to make way for new lives. The trees said farewell to their leaves in the expectation of even greener ones. They lost their colourful flowers only to welcome fresh buds of the spring. The leaves that they rid of would grow back more abundant than ever. Trees needed to keep up with the style too, their new leaves being 'in' while the old ones were 'out'. The dated flowers were put to rest for a brighter garden.

Animals bred in foreign countries. Birds flew miles away only to return stronger, more experienced. Squirrels took a rest to enjoy the joyous chorus come spring. Nature is cleansed, renewed to the next vitality.

Then, the first flake fell. It melted as soon as it touched the still warm earth. However, a thin sheet of snow soon layered the ground, the hills, the unprotected trees. The thin sheet promptly transformed into a frozen blanket. The roads showed signs of strain with each snowflake. The air was a flurry of snow, mist and frost.

Drivers pulled their hair off trying to see through the storm. Some cars skidded precariously close to the side walk. They drove through blind boundaries, everything covered with the treacherous snow. Each car was more hesitant than the other. They propelled their way slowly through traffic, careful not to bump into one another.

Monstrous snow plow trucks drove steadily down major streets, pushing tons and tons of snow off the road. As the white blanket was being removed, more just continued to pelt down. Some vehicles broke down and ceased to continue moving. Their wheels got stuck in the snow turning uselessly.

Walking conditions were more or less tough. Knee deep snow, getting everything wet. The sidewalks were piled over with mountains. People huffed trying to swim their way through the streets. With the heavy winter-wear, transportation by foot was arduous.

The cars were at a stalemate with the weather. But why spend so much effort on the road? Time aside, kids spend giggling hours out in the snow banks. Each snowflake holds another miracle. Instead of a city stung with lights, the city is transformed into forts and snow people. Snowmen stand side by side with lopsided grins and a carrot for a nose. Boulders of snow are carefully aligned to defend against oncoming attackers. A couple of children are throwing snowballs at one another while some and lying on the ground, creating angels.

While the roads are heavily blocked by traffic, transport is so much faster when tobogganing or skiing down a hill. Tracks are created in the purity as people twist their way down from the top of the hill. Mothers push their children on sleds and their squeals of delight travel far through the neighbourhood.

Once inside, the family can cozy up next to the fireplace sipping marshmallow brimmed hot chocolate. While the raging whirlwind of a storm outside calms its flurries, the warmth inside the house is hazy. Dinner is served. No one wants to waste effort on the road as they all prefer to stay back with the family. By morning, the roads will be in better condition, but for now, everyone sits back and enjoys the unexpected time with family.

The next time winter frost sends chills up spines, the cold ugliness can be created into a miracle. The animals will return next spring in full kick. The warm nights will feel more rewarding. Winter is another part of the seasonal cycle; each season balancing each other out, one not better than the other. Winter, being the colder beauty of life.