Winterbloom

for Kelly K. Moran

A cold front arrived

in Chicago yesterday,
and life was lulled
into a wintry nap.

I wear the brown scarf

you made for me,
stand in front of
yellow witch-hazel in the snow.

Here I pace the line

between reverence and concern,
thinking how hard it must be
to survive in the cold.

I turn and gather these thoughts

while rubbing my hands together.
The wind shakes the trees
and I must go to you—

There, I will keep you warm . . .

Each day, until the leaves return.

Snow-covered Witch Hazel by Jay Sturner

(From the book Wilderness & Love)