Lea

Today's word is "Lea" ... A tract of open ground, especially grassland; meadow.

Lament
This cold could seep into your soul;
it is so heavy in its intent.
Water thrown to air becomes an instant,
crystalled cloud lost to a whirlwind.
Imagine what we would become
without our layered woolen warmth.

This is no time to be out upon the lea,
where mean winds circle, or to travel
carelessly about on gelid roads.
Indeed, it seems Mother Nature
would rather discipline than nurture ...
listening to her ragged breath is enough
to chase her children underground.

I wonder where the groundhog is
and if he'd condescend to emerge ...
to find his shadow gone. Maybe that small
hope of early spring would be enough
to give us courage, and we could
put an end to all our whimpering
and carry on.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2013