Thaw

Winter turns to spring, the first primroses are on the roadside. Although I can see snow on the hills, and an icy wind continues to blow, each day is a little longer than its yesterday, and there is some warmth in the sun. I have caught a chill from digging in the garden under that north wind, but I am sure it will pass in a day or two.

I have a friend who has been through a much harder winter. For her one icy storm has followed another, her winter so profound as to seem never-ending. But spring will come in her country too.


at last the sun climbs
in the eastern sky —
a steady drip of thaw

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First published Lishanu 2005
© author 2005. All rights reserved.