On Winter
Winter’s never been a friend to me.
Long have I allowed the cold to consume me, body and mind alike.
November loomed like a curse, death dancing in the trees above, reminding me of all I’ve lost.
Who I’ve lost.
It’s always cold without you - I don’t need reminding.
This year, something changed.
The fight against the frigid didn't feel worth the expense.
So what if I don't fight it?
What if I saw it like you did - an invitation to return to what keeps us warm?
That’s what I’ve been embracing…The warmth amid the cold.
The pockets of sunshine that feel like forehead kisses from above.
Icy gusts against my skin that feed the fire within.
Short days that expand the night- nature’s call for deeper rest.
The deafening silence of snowy streets, an invitation to listen.
This year, I didn't fight the cold.
I allowed the long weeks of Winter to wrap me in its blankets.
To teach me its lessons.
This year, I made a new friend.
