when winter comes early

this year winter came early to minnesota. these lilac leaves never had a chance to slowly fade and fall away. they got attacked by an early frost and have been clinging to the branches ever since in their frostbit agony. the way they have clung to life along the central vein feels so familiar. we humans do the same thing, losing our extremities to cold first, in order to preserve our core. now i am feeling chilled inside my 70 degree house. and feeling empathy for lilac leaves.

frost bitten lilac leaves