A Winter, Heavy

A winter, heavy
beckons
I snap back with a shiver
holding my body together with
this old coat

A winter, heavy
pummels
I think, too soon, please
not before the holidays
not yet, now

A winter, heavy
whispers
I listen now and calm
relax these bones and pull myself
up, up,
up
to my full height
and look straight into the gray mass
that has replaced my blue sky
and we challenge one another
as to just who is the strongest

A winter, heavy
sings a lullaby
and I see now
and smile
the snow that chases me