the darkness of winter skies
heavy with the promise of water
for now and for summer to come
though they may be blessing-filled
are still burdened with foreboding

we think we winter well
pushing back the grayness with
artificial light, artificial changes
of the clock. altered days drag us
too soon from sleep, too soon from dreams

in the chaos of survival
some are lost, sleep too soon, too long
literally, mentally, emotionally
dropping by the way, unnoticed but for
some distant heart that stirs, troubled
with a muted misgiving that a friend
has fallen, faded, failed

and in the smallest reaching
of selfless concern, where self has so much
to be concerned with, that feeling takes shape
in words that search the roadside
for a familiar face, wasted by the way
finds and lifts a tired heart
with unexpected kindness