Winterwood

Never waste a full moon, Nora, even in winter, my grandmother used to say

The temperature dropped so fast that trees cracked down their centers, sweet-smelling sap oozing to the surface like honey, before it too crystalized and froze.

I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes.

—C. S. Lewis

Because I am more darkness than girl. More winter shadows than August sunlight.