Preparing the Heart For Winter

By Norm Olson

A huge gust thrust through the naked trees

Void of leaves branches become musical

A freakish whistle it leaves.

Another huge gust thrusts down the road

Naked and cold Void the tar that gave it hold

In a hurricane of dust and some snow.

Now the wild wind whines as it blows across frozen fields

packed cold in snow with nothing to hold it yields

To be uncovered and redeemed by April’s repeal.

But not across field only, but through my fine domain.

The walls sway slightly and the joists squeak a little

As the wind rattles the window panes.

And sometimes the howling wolf rests a while

As we mere mortals hurriedly shovel out

The sun is rare, but we must prepare

Our ourselves for yet another bout.

But April shouts to the winter-stranded

“Be of good cheer, for I’m on my way!”

And we wait and watch as breakup comes

To shout, … “I saw a robin today!”