La Zelotypia De La Hiberna

Some people live their entire lives as either extremely harsh, or extremely gentle. Rarely does the opposites attract rule come to pass when dealing with one of each of these. But all things, however unalike, eventually wear out... as do the seasons.1

Winter is strong. He keeps to himself and always gets his job done thoroughly and on time. Not once has Winter questioned his dark purpose or hesitated to summon death upon unsuspecting wildlife. He is loyal and composed, but every so often... Winter becomes jealous.2

Spring thinks nothing of worldly affairs. Her mindset is one of beauty and innocence. Wherever lilacs drink honeydew cocktails and wherever sunshine serenades sweet apple blossoms Spring is most certainly nearby. She thrives on new life and would freely sacrifice her immortal soul to save an endangered fawn if only such matters were that simple.3

In the deep recesses of the month of March a song began to play. It was a song which began with the slight tip-toeing of a piano... but segued into a staccato tango of epidemic cello proportions. It was called, "La Zelotypia De La Hiberna".4

Winter's recent excommunication had struck a particularly sensitive nerve this year as the idea of kindly stepping aside finally lost its lustre. So instead of melting away into oblivion, he composed a plan to make use of his God-given free will. The only thing standing in Winter's way was most conveniently skipping along the cobblestone path but a few feet away.5

Merrily inhaling frivolous fresh scents of herself, Spring couldn't have been happier if she had arrived earlier. Everything was going her way and a picnic on the new grass seemed like the most splendid idea to ever cross her mind. Spreading out her technicolor picnic blanket Spring thought she felt something. It was a strange feeling, almost like having someone who owns your remote control press the pause button. She knew of nothing she could do, and that's exactly what she did.6

Slinking closer Winter closed his brittle arms around Spring's waist. He sniffed her velvet neck as it slowly hardened into icy stillness. Winter juxtapositioned his stance and his brows narrowed together as he delved into Spring's widely opened eyes. "Not so pretty now, are we?" he choked. "Did you really think the world was just an ongoing slumber party to take for granted? Haven't you once wondered where all the darling little infants kept disappearing to? Time is cruel to the rest of us. Time steals our youth and throws us away, once worth and usefulness has betrayed our withered bodies. Don't you see? See what ugliness all life leads up to? IT'S NOT FAIR!!!".7

Just then, Winter's clutch on Spring's arm weakened and he jumped backward in fear. The sun had not stopped shining. Winter's power was restricted to the ground. Spring stepped out of her trance and blinked with caring eyelashes at the stunned Winter. She remembered a smile of sunshine back onto her flowery face. "All goodbyes are cold and sorrowful" she whispered. "But what would life be without an ending? Where is the beauty in something which is constant? What is to be appreciated in something like me? Without the bitter side of life, the sweet is never as sweet. We are two of a kind you and I. The start and the finish. Both ensuring life's greatness: not in competition... but in league.".8

Spring leaned forward and kissed Winter's cheek. Now nobody can tell for sure but, right at that very moment glistening wisps of liquid streamed down Winter's face. Some say it was the Sun melting Winter's snarly hair, but others rest assured that an enchanted nymph named Spring had touched Winter's Goblin heart causing wondrous teardrops of truce.9

Every few hundred years the snow infested layers of depression build up in the world and the only way to break the ice is to listen for this mystical March music hoping that certain sadness-dwelling somebodies find the truth in their lives that as surely as the sun will always shine... life goes on. 10

                                     ~Gold~Winner11