of light in the dark, no. 1
birds, stop your singing
warbles full of the promise of springtime
i am not ready for the end of winter
not ready to let go of the comfort
i find in its arms, dark and cold
the brightness of the snow the only
light in this darkness
if this body could, it would
find a place where the stars were most brilliant
and lie down, the blanket of the drifts
would wrap it in the solemn reverence
the comforting quiet
will stand in stark contrast to the cacophony
of spring
birds, stop your singing
you harbingers of noise
interrupt my devotion to the silence
i am not prepared to shed my layers
to denude my hibernating body
while my soul is still tethered to the
extended night, getting its fill
sustenance for the warmer months ahead.
(written 14 february 2018)