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My ode to winter

Sarah

My dear beloved,
You are here at last. Without you my days were spent in anticipation, afternoons became heavy with sighs, evenings lonlier and nights unbearable. The wait seemed endless. Now that you are here I don't know how to embrace your homecoming. When you are not with me I can think of so many things to tell others about you. But your nearness makes me wonder with a twitch on where to start.

I take out the lush silk quilt I had saved at the back of my closet to greet your arrival. Your icy fingers once again wakes me up in the morning. The muted glow of the sunshine tantalizes my spirits. You and I then take a walk down the road. Soon after your unfathomable smile full of secrets evaporates with the emerging rays of an old friend, the sun. Wind soothes into a calm breeze. Warm yet cold. Like our love-hate relationship.

Later on, you allure me to savour a cup of hot chocolate. To Celebrate you I wear my crimson shawl to work. On my way, travelling past the queue of 'Radhachuras' I can't feel but vacant inside discerning their long leafless arms. I don't like what you do to the trees. How can you be so stern? But to compensate you bring along some beautiful flowers that perpetually enchants our dull lives. I can smell the balmy essence of mingled fruits and flowers in your air. I sometimes feel left out why you never bring us snow. Then again I think of all the homeless who would suffer if you brought us any.

The day is finally depleted. As the twilight stretches over the horizon and darkness looms you appear in your grand abode. You send chills through the atmosphere making everyone aware of your presence. The soft music of the wind converses into a echoing howl. We sit by the fire and talk boundlessly about all that has been unsaid. Conjured up thoughts of one whole year. We lean on the soft grass wet with dew to see the night sky.

Together we pick out the constellations that confirm your stay. The thought of your departure suddenly crawls at the back of my mind. With tearful eyes I fall asleep. You bring me home, putting me to bed. Careful not to wake me up. Tiptoeing your way out of my room and leaving me on my own again.