out my window
and through the woods
over the lake
the clouds are on fire
in a still, slow burn
bathing the frozen earth
in a cool pink kiss
that already promises
light on the other side of sleep
in the house
the stove coals burn low
waiting to be rekindled
to stave away the wind of night
in my stomach
dinner settles
heat seeps into each limb
as sleep creeps over the eyes
in my mind
a woman's laughter
the touch of her lips
the press of her breasts
the squeeze of her thighs
and the smell of her hair
linger
even longer than the sun
or dinner's spices
all the world seems warm
though winter clings to the fields
spring is unstoppable
as the sun arrives
a little sooner each passing day
