Wake Up

The electric jolt of the city stops It bows like a sapling in a February storm The thirsty windows collect the drops The heart, the pulse of the place— still warm Still whispering behind doors, under grates Beyond the snowy garrison of the city, Spring swarms Over the yawning, gushing streams the melt creates Near the child with the mud covered sneakers The icy mist that lingered dissipates Blooming from trees, fresh buds are sweepers Brushing off the flecks of dirt and snow They become the season’s youngest keepers A wind to break the back does blow! A new era is but a stone’s throw! ~For Regina McIntosh’s contest “Heart Universes” Tuesday, February 9th, 2021