Snowflakes swirled around in the frigid January air, not melting as the made contact with my pale, icy skin. They stubbornly clung to my hair and my eyelashes as a strong gust of wind stirred up large clouds of the powdery particles. It’s so beautiful.

    Gazing across the frozen wonderland, thoughts of people curled up in front a fire drinking warm beverages drifted through my mind, and left me feeling hot and claustrophobic. Why on earth would anybody want to erase something as magnificent as this? My thin boots left shallow impressions in the snow as I glided across the icy surface to a large tree. The snow had flattened the tall grass that grew here in the summer months, leaving the perfect open space. Small icicles desperately clung to the branches of the tree, tinkling like wind chimes in the subtle breeze. The coldness that seeped into me as I settled into a drift of snow was welcomed. I even piled more on top of my chest to intensify the experience. Closing my eyes, I relished in my body temperature dropping below it’s normal ninety degrees.

    Overhead, the icicles continued to bounce off one another, filling the still air with their gentle melody. It was so peaceful without the commotion of little kids running around or cars driving by every five minutes. Birds and insects weren’t disturbing the peace with their cacophonous chirping and incessant buzzing. The fauna wasn’t rustling from some animal's ceaseless roaming. Winter was when nature was truly at its purest, most simplistic form; I welcomed the freezing temperatures and promises of snow hidden in the white skies.

    In the distance a branch gave in to the weight of several inches work of snow and collapsed to the ground. Around me the temperature continued to drop, and the twilight winterscape was bathed in darkness.