A Glimpse of Winter

The unfolding day
brings forth flowers
soft as the breath of mice;
abrupt exhalations of pale blue
snuggled within the grass.
Autumnal hues -
vermillion and ochre;
dabbed freehand
into the scrub.
I pause to watch
the surrender of leaves
to the wind’s tugging,
as they are heaved up
in billowing whorls.
First and last hint
of the season passed.

Invariably overdue,
winter’s swindled time
marked only by this
flicker of icy starlight.
I’d like to sit beneath
the clear sky -
breathe the cold air.
Let the chill seep through
layers of clothing,
until shivering forces me
to seek the warmth
of shelter and gratitude -
until spring pushes its way
into the next month.



© 2002 Melissa Songer