As obligations take up my free time
my wild spirit has been put in a cage
with perfection and accomplishment as my keys

Under a carpet of snow
when the first 'lenteklokjes' come peep from under their blanket
my keys will slowly rise up from the frozen ground as it thaws
and clear my way to the light.

faded Ladybirds swarm    my buildings intercom
Are they responding to an electric hum ?

faded Ladybirds swarm
a yellow painted wall
desperation
it is an unyielding prayer
no nourishment before the freeze

Love is all about the details,
I learned that from you.

The best example being the morning of the winter storm,
How when you were about to leave,
I was reminded that I always had a thing for a girl in uniform.

We hugged before you left, and I remembered that
My favourite part of being close to you,
Is the essence of lilac sewn into your sweater.

I adored the fact that your toque,
The one that never fit you quite right,
Carried the scent of your strawberry hair.

“Be safe” I said.
It was only a five minute drive,
But when I saw the smile in your eyes
I knew you understood what I really meant.

sky like combed smoke
unseasonably warm for mid November
carrying my coat
i wonder if winter depression
can be missed this year

Thus begins the long winter,
the tolling of the bells and the names,
but now I look its wrath in the eyes.

Here comes the beautiful blonde
in the blue coat that kills me.
She was out in the snow all night
looking for an African
gray parrot that someone
let slip away,
calling with a voice
that could coo even the
wildest of beasts down from the
heights of the cold trees.