jack dibenedetto: Deep in Winter

 
Deep in Winter

The wind makes strange noises, 
The sun is low in the sky 
and the moon puts jewels on the 
pristine white snow. 
Black ice mars the road while
shoveling awaits in the numbing cold. 

But I dream 
of pale green poking 
up from decaying leaves,
the sweet smell of a warm breeze, 
of violet and white crocuses
and carrying a jacket

I dream 
of the lush green 
and of dazzling blues of sky and water, 
of orange daylilies and purple irises, 
of laughing children, chattering crickets 
and scampering rabbits, 
of cold beer drunk from the can 

I dream 
of trees with flaming colors, 
of plaid flannel and of the delightful 
sun with cool crisp breezes, 
of red holly berries among 
the vivid green leaves 
and bright orange pumpkins. 

I dream 
while drinking tepid cocoa 
waiting, searching 
the southern sky