Is it familiar
that ice that has dribbled down
from the edges of your house
walling you in
behind their clear beauty
did the wraith of winter
offer some sort of meaning
as it blew through your skin
into the echoing halls of your soul
to steal your life
why then do you fear the sun
and all the freedom of spring
has the spirit of fear
ever given you perfect love
why then do you shrink from the light
and all the warmth it is waiting to reveal
has this isolation really kept you healthy
how will anyone know who you are if you keep your face hidden
from the gentle rain of April
waiting to melt away
all those thoughts of January
still frozen behind your stare
as you stand so desperately still
like a mannequin in the window
just beyond my reach
Kelvin Bueckert 