Lenten Villanelle

It seems too soon to let the winter go

The season turns, but still I want to stay

Something is stirring, deep beneath the snow.

The barren landscape beckons me to slow

My walking, notice hues of gray.

It seems too soon to let the winter go.

The grey of beech bark gives a silvery glow

As clinging dry leaves rustle, shine and play

Something is taking root beneath the snow

Days lengthen, and the light begins to grow

More springlike. In the holly, robins play

It seems too soon to let the winter go.

The early signs of life emerge now. Slow

Forsythia buds and snowdrops want to say:

Something is stirring, deep beneath the snow.

In winter’s bareness, words have space to grow.

I’ll welcome spring’s abundance, But today

It seems too soon to let the winter go

Something is taking root, and stirring, deep beneath the snow