Boundary

Deciduous trees are the divider,
there at the edge of extremes.

Green twigs by the wind become twisted
and growth at this level is weak.

Ice and snow bend and break sturdy branches.
Cold wind lops off trunks at the knees. 

Even oaks must bow down in surrender.
It’s the cold that demands trees’ defeat.

This is the subterfuge winter:
omnipresent subzero disease.

Existence stands frigid forever.
Permafrost is the perfect deepfreeze.