Photo: Charles Earl Amanda Charlotte Earl has a Masters in French Literature. She leads a succulent life with her husband, Charles, in an aerie high above Ottawa where she writes poetry and fiction. Amanda's first chapbook, Blood Orange, was recently published by Friday Circle. She is the volunteer managing editor of Bywords.ca, an electronic magazine publishing Ottawa poetry and literary events, and the Bywords Quarterly Journal. Amanda: "Snow Witch" was inspired by the glistening snow I walked through this morning. It was so beautiful, I had to dance.

Monday's Poem © Amanda Charlotte Earl Snow Witch She wraps her scarlet hair around her throat. Her halo of snow crystals scatters sparkling flakes in her wake. She glides over waves of snow. Holding out her hand, she counts each point of shivering light: these are stars dancing. She mirrors their reflection in her eyes. Walk out in the cold between moon and sun. The snow witch will cast her spell over you. Don't be surprised if you find yourself dancing through the freshly fallen snow.