waking up you see
sitting on a snow-covered tree
a cardinal, red and warm

his beak is yellow
his eyes are bright
he ruffles his feathers and takes flight

father frost blows
on your window pane
with his pattern, leaves a stain

all the trees
look like glass
but there's an emptiness

snuggled up under covers
not wanting to leave you bed
you try to get out, but jumping back in
you huddle up and sigh

you try again; you shiver
you put on your slippers