Winter



Rain-teared trees
carry lightly the loss
of their fallen leaves
naked wet-black
they guard the gate
of Winter

At their rooted feet
beneath the undug
grave-soiled earth
the hope of Spring
tomorrow's ice-hard life
slumbers

Chill-wind fingers
tease and taunt and steal
the mourner’s warmth
his blood life
ebbing back to save
his heart

Death-white ungloved hands
wipe away the tears
seeping unremarked
from his unseeing eyes
buried deep before him
is love

No blood-fleshed body here
no bait for other life
unless the maggot’s mouth
can eat indulgent hope
that to face unbowed the void
love would be enough