Deep Winter

Deep Winter 1/6/2015

The words come

Like jewels

Twinkling in a cave

Unexpected treasures

For have and hold. 

These are the things

That I never asked for  

And these are the moments

Where the whole world

Is ready.

No matter how far the distance

I have not forgotten a single phrase

Because I hung on every word

For good or for bad.

I slept with her sweater

Long after the smell was gone

As I clung to the smallest remainders

Of everything she was.  

I had to use, it all up

Until there was nothing left

Before I could plumb the depths  

In my head. 

When the bottom drops out

You fall free, into space

Until the law of gravity

Pulls you back inside. 

Where would I be

If not for love?

And where would I sleep

If not for my kids? 

We stare at the dead

And dream that we are living

Fascinated by blood

And repulsed by simplicity. 

Silent as a snowflake

Falling on a frozen bridge

Far away from here

Warm in my bed.

Come listen

And hear what I hear

The call of ancient echoes

Ringing in my ear.   

It is all coming back

And now everyone is near

As even the greatest distance

Becomes as nothing at all. 

We will have it all

The best part of dreams

Elusive, slippery,

Joyful, and complete.