Because in eight days, we'll start moving towards spring. . . . (I told you I was an optimist. . . )

The Middle Kingdom

tip the earth toward spring
spinning contrails in the wind give wing
to patterns of melting drifts
reflecting the frozen wind of the dark night
still locked white against brown
green not in sight
so obvious
that earth surrenders to the sun reluctantly
as I to the earth

for the middle kingdom, between earth and sky
is for life to arise and fly
here to down there
no up there, birth

and frozen patterns of the wind
will melt
and rise and fall again
with those in the middle
feeling the drops
running down cheeks
whether joy or pain
as winter then spring turns
to summer rain



Phil*from*Iowa.
Tue, 02/22/05