Collegiate Chrysalis

Shivering branches
sag and mourn the leaves
of summer that swoon
into the clutch of
the cold, unkind earth.
Frosted breaths in the
early morning wake
utter five-year-old
giddiness. Rumours
of impending breaks
strengthen those students
who lack study drive.
The Chocos and shorts
of warmer weather
are packed in attics
and hipsters sport their
scarves less than before.
Ice daggers perch on
the lips of fountains;
the world stops turning.
Frisbees lie dormant,
abandoned for now.
"Door couples" become
"car couples" in a
yearly, fair-weather
metamorphosis.
Christmas stars that hang
from trees year-round will
soon finally shine
in harmony with
an ocean of flames
in the frigid night.