Barren Trees Rose Marie Raccioppi the winter sun bright and free to touch and reach the whole of me no leaves to shield me from its rays the gentle warmth of cold winter days shadow, light and wind the snow does hold this moment present and memories of old the fun and frolic of young winter's past snowballs, sleigh rides, delight ever last and now the faint song of wind and chime the gifts of barren trees, life and time.