#inkmine’s weekly prompt for 12/2: never, red, strife, ever, robust, alive

∴ never so alive as we

snowflakes swirl ‘round pine
red needles forged by breath and steely mettle |
o’er fresh powder—
robust in their strife
a steadfast protestation
we rise again

tales of beginnings
once lost, now told—
of strength that ever burns
within the cold
as if endings
were whispers adrift, fading
upon the snow owl’s wings

defying each surrender… ∴