FRANKIE VALINDA GHEE

A bit of winter poetry

It’s Been a Long Time

An optimistic take on Winter

It’s been a long time since I turned my head

To avoid the sting of sunlight

The blinding tears of brightest day

Since I turned on sprinklers

To Stand in for sulky nature

Who refused to water the lawn

So I could grow what my neighbors grow

It’s been a long time

Since I mowed anything

Or grappled with unyielding weeds

Or felt the need to sculpt anything

Control anything beyond my indoor job description

It’s been a long time

Since I was bitten or stung

Or felt the need to flee any small, flying menace

Or destroy a hornet housing development

It’s been a long time

Since I felt obligated to be outside

Or to walk in the early morning

Before it gets too hot

It’s been a long time since I secretly wished for a break 

In the monotony of perfect days

With the self imposed obligation to 

“Get out there and enjoy it!”

Winter here, where I live

Is often wet and muddy brown

Dark, cloudy, slippery and dangerous

And It can be so very cold

But Our Planet has a sense of humor

So we get seasons

I love the seasons

Here where we get to live