Blue shadows

Snow lay thick on the fields and the woods 
cast blue shadows across it.

The fir trees were like sparkling, gem-laden Christmas trees, 

the only ones Susan had ever seen.

The orchard, with the lacy boughs outlined with snow, 

was a grove of fairy trees.

The woods were enchanted, exquisite, the trees were holy,

and anything harmful had shrunken to a thin wisp 

and had retreated into the depths.

from The Country Child by Alison Uttley