THE LAST BALMY BREEZE

Yesterday I felt solace in the breeze.
Balmy strokes across my skin
brought particles of sunlight to
relax and soothe my bare arms and face.
To massage my forehead and brush back my hair.

Today I awoke to gray outside my open windows.
And the gray pushed a cold breeze around my shoulders.
I pulled the covers around me and escaped my dread.
I dreamed of ships and warmth, children playful in a pool.
The pool turned to ice and I was skating
among bundled colorful people.

I skated effortlessly on white-blue sparkles.
I took flight, and joy overcame me.
Perhaps I will glide through this winter.
Maybe I won’t despair the last balmy breeze.
The warmth will come again when we least expect it.

On a January morning we’ll open our doors
expecting a blast of chill.
We will step out onto the porch and greet
our surprise visitor.
Warmth will come for a day
and we will revel in it.