Brother Winter, I Love You

Written
2007

 Long,

      cold and dark

      and too mean for this aged one

      to have as an enemy.

Youth can hold out with hope for Spring

      and hate you.

But with memories of Spring and Summer fading,

      as things do these days,

You become my reality.

Never again can I skip over you with memories

     of daffodils and ripe melons to dreams

     of warm spring mornings.

The leap across the time chasm,

     so short but a few years ago,

     is a now-to-jump-over a bleak void.

This year I will fall into your angry belly

     if I insist on teleporting

     across you with memories and dreams.

Better I court you.

Hesitant morning light will mean

      snuggling under covers and warmly waiting,

      instead of charging out to demand the sun to rise.

 

Then I can look forward to cold rainy mornings

      when I can wear my favorite wool sweater.

Nor will there be cursing the early dusk when

       instead a fire can warm and light a dream time.

Books of adventure of the soul

      and cool romantic jazz make for a time of joy.

The steady beat of rain plays a peaceful background

     for the time of long nights.

Bleak day becomes sunny and bright

      with a morning of cleaning up old files.

Lunch will be longer and an afternoon of writing   

       will serve to pass the time until fires are lit.

Yes, Brother Winter, I have come now

      to love you and will regret spring this year.

 

Notes
Published in The "Yolo Crow" Fall 2008 Volume 13