A Cardinal in Snow

A pristine shroud of baleful white

Unveils its most beguiling blight

Encased in winter's icy breath

A panoramic view of death

A twisted tree as bare as bone

To spite the endless monotone

And perched atop its naked bough

A scarlet stab against the snow

Misplaced in time, or perhaps space

A humble monument to Grace

Encased in nature's poignant art

The memory of a beating heart

A joy to cherish and to save

A lonesome rose on Mercy's grave

With each impassioned dulcet cry

Implores the ruler of the sky

Ignoring winter's cynical sneer

In absurd bursts of hope and cheer

Perhaps a distant spring to greet

When did defiance sound so sweet?

From Desolation's funeral pyre

A bloom of undaunted desire

A song to learn and to repeat

The weary heart will always beat

Reviews

[Mr Question]

An enjoyable journey you have created in my mind. Well thought out imagery in words,

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and the Cardinal really does have a beautiful song, but it also sounds mournful in its way..
reminds me of those poor cardinals i see during a late spring snowfall in Southern Illinois.
j.

[Augustus]

Thanks Jacob!

[John the Baptist]

This one is full of unique rhymes and sharp images and made me think of Robert Frost. The cardinal as the symbol of enduring life defying the death shroud of snow is a hymn of hope for all of us. Very well done.

[Augustus]

Thank you so much for your perceptive review!