It's been a long time since I wrote a poem. This one's inspired by a challenge a dear friend's husband set her because she was feeling blue in the dragging on winter, and when she told me, lines just swam in my head as if it needed to come out. Though I live in Australian summer right now, my house is always freezing in winter (old Australian builds), so I empathise with those of you living in winter time!
February: the days are short but the winter drags on,
Our minds wander, drifting, longing for the cold to be done,
And we shuffle like ghosts as time blends day with day,
Motivation fades, creativity too—gone, just drifted away.
It's times like this that I wish for long summer days,
Instead my city's so dull, muted, nothing but greys,
Then I see my love’s red cheeks, our children’s bright noses,
And we laugh at the colour - so red, like Ma's summer roses.
I try to stay present, embrace these walks through the park,
Rugged up in coats, gloves, long boots, against the chill of the dark,
With our bellies full of comforting hot winter food,
Blowing our breath like dragons to brighten our mood.
Some days we kick boots through leaves sodden with rain,
Yet others we crunch over them as they freeze over again,
Some days we hide under blankets, snug in warm, cosy hugs,
Hands wrapped around hot cacao in huge steaming mugs.
We pass time as best we can—music, art, trying new food,
Anything to keep at bay that long, dark winter's mood,
But need we spend winter hiding in small, heated rooms,
Or should we enjoy kicking through leaves, dancing to our own winter tunes?
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