On the Hill

On the hill, a mother 
is desperate to nurse babies
who have gone still and silent, 
with milk they'll never take

She knows they are not sleeping 
but cannot bear to leave them, 
so licks their tiny faces, 
that they might come awake

She thinks if she can warm them, 
then Winter will not want them
and Spring will find them happy
and hale, and furred, and free 

As sorrow overwhelms her, 
she curls herself around them, 
soon dreaming in the way of 
all creatures such as she

of fish in rippling water, 
of game and earth. Of watching 
her mate at play in powder, 
unmindful of the chill

And when the Winter claims her, 
she's chasing stars with children,
reborn among the flowers 
that bloom upon the hill
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Baker Avatar
February 22, 2022 at 2:23 PM
Such deep mother's love, and compassion for the young. A beautifully written poem full of emotion and the hope of spring. I enjoyed reading your poetry, Lycia. I'm new but will follow you so I know when you write more of your poetry. Bill
Harding Avatar
March 9, 2022 at 5:40 AM
Thank you, Bill! Xoxo LyLy
Palmer Avatar
December 12, 2021 at 6:06 PM
Loved how you captured the life of hibernating animals and put it into words, wonderful winter write Lycia, enjoyed it
Harding Avatar
January 10, 2022 at 2:29 PM
Thank you Richard. Um... just so you know, though, they aren't hibernating, they will not survive the harsh winter. Im sorry.
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