Fife Road Barn I

Fife Road Barn I
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

As I ventured out into a storm filled sky I seemed to think that winter was over.
I was mistaken, snow fell horizontally for much of the day, driven by a biting wind.

Winters last hurrah ?

Never be to sure when you face the Dark Lord of Winter ...

I am the Dark Lord of Winter
And all must fear my reign.
I preside over the long cold months of Winter
When the heat of life rests a barely glowing ember in my hands.
The months when stores from the harvest run low.
When hunting and foraging are the new sources of food.
The days which are more dark than they are light

I remember still the autumn when I first gained my power.
By mid-Winter my strength was full and fierce.
Yet all too soon...as is now...
The Spring weakens me and my footsteps grow heavy.
My sword weighs as a heavy burden to my hand.
The call of the Spring would sap the last of my strength
And bid me lay down my icy crown and slumber.

It is I who covers and consumes all that would be green.
I see through the eyes of the hunted and the hunter,
And draw the heat from the very earth.
All live and die by the law of my hands.
For I am merciless and unyielding
As the tempered steel of the sword I wield.
There are none who escape my rule
For I am everywhere and indomitable.

No creature may lay languid and unthinking,
As is so want under the hot Summer sun...
All must be keen and cunning to survive!
I bring strength and knowledge as my boon.
Each creature must face my challenge
To win these gifts.
Those who fail shall parish,
That is the unyielding law of my reign.

But do not think of me though as only harsh darkness!
Though I may steal a kiss of your precious heat
With the fall of each snowflake upon your cheek...
I am the sun of the cold Winter skies
Offering just enough nourishment to survive...
Despite the darkness of my reign,
You shall see not anything brighter nor brilliant,
Than the glittering whiteness of my snows.

Yet am I handsome and gentle.
For I forge each snowflake,
That falls softly upon the outstretched branches.
With the crisp wind I dance
In the mist of your breath...
Each riverbed I fashion
Into a glorious palace of ice...
So long as I rule shall my beauty remain.

Despite the struggles within my rule,
I am also peaceful and quiet.
The lonely wind blows across my barren fields,
With no leaf to idly rustle to its touch.
I am the intellect turned inwards,
Where thoughtful insight and wisdom is found.
You may find me in the quietness of your thoughts
As you stare out into the falling of my snow...

Forgive that each creature must face my harsh ordeal.
For I am the recession of rest after the exertion of growth.
Claiming back to the earth, that which was taken in life.
Without me there would be no release or respite...
With love, with fear, with understanding or respect
Remember me.
Remember me when you pass my final gate,
For I am the Dark Lord of Winter!

By: Greg Currie