Quote by Mark Helprin

Winter then in its early and clear stages, was a purifying engine that ran unhindered over city and country, alerting the stars to sparkle violently and shower their silver light into the arms of bare upreaching trees. It was a mad and beautiful thing that scoured raw the souls of animals and man, driving them before it until they loved to run. And what it did to Northern forests can hardly be described, considering that it iced the branches of the sycamores on Chrystie Street and swept them back and forth until they rang like ranks of bells.

Summary

This quote beautifully describes the power and transformative nature of winter. The author portrays winter as a purifying force that cleanses both nature and the souls of beings. The vivid imagery of the stars sparking and the trees reaching out eagerly underlines the mesmerizing beauty of the season. Additionally, the mention of the Northern forests being iced and the branches of the sycamores ringing like bells demonstrates the extraordinary impact of winter on the environment. Ultimately, the quote portrays winter as a captivating and enchanting force that instills a sense of awe and compels living beings to embrace its energy.