POEMS

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.

(from Good Places)