A red and white season

I am a shiver down my spine, 

snow dust on the hemlock tree, 

woolen knots over my swan neck kind of girl;

a bride's veil over my backyard kind of girl;

homemade chicken soup with spicy ginger kind of girl;

runny nose in dark boots kind of girl; 

heavy blanket soaking the last warmth of a dying year 

and crackling fire logs kind of girl.

I am a humming carol, cinnamon talc under my fingernails, 

cookie crust between my teeth, 

crafting tales under mistletoe kind of girl. 

I am a girl who sends billets-doux to every hill station she can dream of.

I am a december snowflake in deep midwinter, 

who sucks on the pale sun to ease her throat.

I am a girl with blizzard hollers for her first cry, 

blowing frozen candles on a numbing night.

I am a solitary rose on pristine ground, 

a delicate frostling, a runaway maiden from the summer sun.