too too soon

the beginning of 2014

January through April, perhaps a bit of May

winter slipped under the doors

painted pictures on the windows

while we were lost in dreams

of a life hotter, fuller in Africa

and in August that same year

we left the prairies below us as we flew away

there were visits back

2016, 2018 but always summer

never did I miss the ice

the bitter winds

or the snow, no

not at all

yet, today I find myself here

the sky dull

constant cloud cover 

dripping rain and yes,

snow,  early October

shivering deep beneath my skin

winter hardly begun

the long season of fleece

down, woolly socks and hot tea

is upon me and the thought

of hibernation tantalizes

new snow tires on the vehicle

but oh, if I had my way

I'd remain inside

until Spring's thaw

months and months from here

tease

summer teases, laughing

joyous colour riot

life explodes

then stills

cool winds fall

farmers fret

and I, unaccustomed

to such weather

drape a shawl

around aching bones

believing surely one day

soon, heat will come

living like a lizard

downside up becomes 

normal, here

winter settles in

and my flesh, now accustomed

to African heat, balks

shivering against the cold

I learn to live

like the lizards, seeking

the sun, stretching 

into the warm, 

never able to retain enough

heat, I withdraw 

as light fades

sheltered in fleece

waiting till the next

mid-day absorption

sharp edges

cold leaves me

brittle, too close 

to the edge of 

breaking, when what I

seek is unity

wholeness, to be 

a welcoming place

not these fractures

splintered, sharp to the

touch, come near and 

you leave bleeding

if I claim

innocence, lack of

foul intent, the flow

of pain continues

unhindered, hot

and raw

so let me own this

and ask you now

for grace, forgiveness

patience, that you wait

with me for warmer days

hanging out at the pub with the poets
 

nothing predictable

January's middle when the ice 

settles deep in bones

we had snow last night

snow this morning

while the wind howls

swirls, sculpts drifts of white

and now 39 degrees fahrenheit

bright sun denying the forecasted storm

not snow, thunderstorms 

January 15 thunderstorm

with snow again to follow

diving wind chills

nothing predictable, or steady

only 100% chance

there will be weather of some sort

or another

 

quickly winter

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you. . . 

In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other;

only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches

when you can savor belonging to yourself.

Ruth Stout

winter has fallen

hard, fast

the air cracking with cold

dawns come late

nights early

in the silent dark

I return to the Him in me

 

in the stillness with Sandy who is flying off to Haiti. Let's keep her in our prayers.

Extreme

January cold presses in
warnings abound
wind chills are extreme they say

so I snuggle in
resting under mighty wings
the warmth of the One
Who exemplifies
extreme

extreme mercy
extreme grace
extreme love

Please join me in prayer for those who do not have shelter tonight and for those who do not know that He Is always there to care for them.

You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, A lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest.  Psalm 61:3 The Message

 

Linking up with Jennifer today.  Stop here to read what others have shared.


 

Quiet here

I have been quiet here
words have been elusive
and I have chosen the wait
instead of the chase

His love settles around me like
the snow
the falling temperatures
the warmth of this home

I'm in the best of hands...