There are cracks in the icy armor of winter. I've seen them plunge deep into a frozen pond, or expose the gray asphalt of a parking lot. The higher landscapes are still snowbound. In the valley, Gorgeous City lies exposed, its remaining snow confined to piles along edges. Ornamental flowers break through to raise pert little buds to the sky. Rainclouds lurk on the horizon, but for now birds clatter and sing among the barren branches.