Sound settling like leaves dying on beds of autumn Winter is on its heels. Even through the raspy breath of winters solemn cry, the stars seem to stand brighter; fighting the cold and death of earth retreating to nest in the womb of mothers belly until it is time to be born again. And I may branch out my beauty this evening just to stretch and feel what's missing in the winter of my heart: New year dawning I may find my seeds in bloom But for now I revel in the stillness of sound and beauty in loss. We all must retreat: discover what is fleeting in the breath of winter.