Love in Hibernation

There’s an inspirational lull

in this bleak mid-winter

Moments of quiet are—

just quiet

No epiphanies or flashes

of insight

Still, the Light has come

and these cold days

are warmed

with bowls of oatmeal

and a stack of firewood

on my porch

And in the stillness—

the only sound the

creaking of the radiator

the only light the candles’ glow

the only warmth

the cup of coffee in my hands

Love fills my heart

to overflowing

and I’m content to ride this

silent wave of knowing

and wait for Spring

and warmth

and re-awakening

Christmas Gift

This is printed with the permission of my daughter, April, who tucked this note into my Christmas stocking. A precious, precious gift.

To the Great Stone Dragon*
   a stable, strong and
   protecting guardian

To The Gambler*
   always betting on Love,
   no matter the odds

To A Guiding Light*
   illuminating the way
   in times of trepidation and worry

To the Golden Thread*
   weaving veils of compassion
   that cloak even strangers and passersby

To a great owl*
   wrapping all in your wings
   of love and wisdom

Happy Christmas.

The *s reference things in our shared history that are loved. The Great Stone Dragon is from the Disney movie Mulan. The Gambler is a song by Kenny Rogers. Guiding Light is a song by Muse. Golden Thread is a song by Eva Cassidy. The great owl is from a movie, The Secret of Nihm.