Winter

ahead of the dawn
plodding bleary eyed into
an ashen twilight
–
flannel sheets-
coyotes barking
before the sunrise

my cupped hands hiding
the glow of a cigarette
behind the garage
–
cold rain-
ignoring my phone
before last call

the taste of winter
falling from the sky for miles
to melt on my tongue
–
platform two-
frost gathers
on my lashes

asleep on the beach-
so far away from winter
and your icy touch
–
caribbean surf-
tracing lazy circles
on the small your back

delicate saplings-
bending to the fickle will
of the winter wind
–
bare branches-
a light dusting
of fresh snow

cold and sterile rooms-
the emptiness of being
alone here with you
–
makeshift rafts-
icy waters
devoid of life

wishes of the past-
far too much wasted time spent
fueling my regrets
–
light rain-
a well tended garden of
unplanted seeds

rising from the sea-
her newly formed shores made from
black and steaming glass
–
predawn chill-
venus and jupiter dance
in the twilight

sheets of winter rain
wrung from the lowering sky
sideways in the wind
–
morning run-
frozen leaves
crack underfoot

tender young seedlings-
the promise of the harvest
rises through the snow
–
first snow-
our children’s
hot chocolate