VAL MAGNUSON
Chill Factor

When all the world is sky
And every cloud unchained
May, long crested as a harbinger-
To some, somber discordant bay
Every summer song stilled
Scattered to iced woods' dreams-

The hemisphere no longer clear
Dripping wind and rain
Stardust suspended
Like evening shadows
Against timeless winter days-

The Gray Lady's palette is unpacked
Bristled tools and pallet knives
Monochromatic tones arrayed
Intermixed in dreary ways
And, how, she stays-

The captive audience held in chains
As the colors from the world are drained
Her work the only piece displayed
"Winter Still Life in Shades of Gray"