Winter Wisdom

WINTER

After a particularly exasperating evening of repeated attempts

to get several of my jack-in-the-box children to go to sleep,

I tucked my son into bed

one more time with a sigh.

“What am I going to do with you?” I asked.

“Oh Moma, just hug me, and pretty soon I’ll grow up.”

And he did.

growing up and growing old

each year more dear and hard to hold

crystal bloom frosted with snow

we say goodbye before we say hello

submissive to the trust the seasons keep

watch and wait before we sleep

gentle earth beneath drifts of white

time of rebirth seeks the light

winter solstice

frost and ice

melting into pools of green

sunshine

resurrection

hope of spring

Cycle of living, season of song

embraces and whispers,

“Life goes on.”