through the snowy woods ...

a plume of smoke ~

rises from the cabin warm ...

"Appalachian Winter"

Winter: A Dirge

Robert Burns

The wintry west extends his blast,

And hail and rain does blow;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth

The blinding sleet and snow:

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,

And roars frae bank to brae;

And bird and beast in covert rest,

And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,

"The joyless winter dayLet others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join;

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfil,

Here firm I rest; they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want-

O do Thou grant

This one request of mine!-

Since to enjoy

Thou dost deny,

Assist me to resign

The Art Loft Gallery, LTD., a locally owned and operated business in Collinsville, Illinois, has been open since 1984. In addition to offering custom picture framing services, The Art Loft Gallery, LTD. is an authorized dealer for renowned artist, Patricia Buckley Moss, and also has a wide variety of antiques and giftware for sale. Come in for a unique shopping experience and enjoy a cup of Starbucks and a cookie while you shop. Contact Us