The seasons turn –
Nature enacts her ritual of letting go
While weather-talk becomes apologetic
A procession of figures wrapped in themselves
Begin their descent into gloomy mind-tombs
And I prepare –
Bracing myself against the looming darkness
Stacking reserves of emotional firewood
Battening down the hatches ready to sit tight
Hoping that Christmas will bring more thaw than chill
But then you came –
A spring flower budding in my autumn field
A splash of colour bursting through my grey sky
A candle flame dancing across my cave wall
A campfire raging amidst my winter world
Now I just smile –
Knowing that there’s no cold when the heart is warm
Trusting that there’s no darkness when hope shines through
Feeling that Autumn and Winter are passing
Sensing that New Year will fulfil its promise
— Wayne Visser