wintertime

Winter Time
___________

The wolves howl across the snow.
Turning too late, I race for the forest's
shadowy eaves, clutching on
my mortar-board, my gown flapping,
my feet crunching the frost. I reach
the cave a heartbeat's pace ahead.
This was the closest yet. The wolves
sit outside, grinning in clouds
of toothy breath.

Moonlight at my back I pace
down the tunnel and jostle my way
into the crowded room. I breathe
deeply the haze of cannabis smoke.
Over by the bar, an angel
in her lacy basque looks round
and smiles, and for a silvery moment
I believe she smiles for me, before
she spreads her wings.

I stay and drink strong spirits, unsure
whether in hope or in despair,
until the last bell tolls. Another
angel lifts me in his arms
and lays me by the cavemouth fire
to sleep, my dreams encircled in
his own: dreams of sinewy strength.
Beyond, the winter lasts three years
while peace prevails.

When I wake, the Spring has sent
the snow away; nestbirds sing
and once more I stand close by
the forest's fragrant edge to listen.
The bubbling brook runs icy-cold,
for high in the valley is always snow
where wolves lie in hidden lairs
smiling to know that soon my path
will lead me there.