welcome winter

welcome winter
to the four corners of the yard
pushing brown leaves
against the fence

let it embrace the open-handed
branches of the trees
let it steal over the earth like
early evening, drawing everyone
indoors

welcome its cooling touch
to the rooms at the back of the house
facing sunset

feel it breathe through the old windows
feel it hover in the doorways
and in the backs of cabinets

welcome winter
in the color of the stars against
a moonless night

let it raise a still and quiet canopy
over our restless souls.