January

Chased by a bleak January wind,

The ragged ends of yesterday’s storm

Scattered refugees dressed in purple and gray, 

Huddling at the edge of the extravagantly blue sky.

Amber sunlight fingers caress the day

An uncertain effort to massage out the cold. 

At the end of the cul de sac, the blacktop collapses

Crumbling shards sinking into the mud.

A driveway assembled from ruts,

Worn into the forgiving earth, 

Crowded by a forest of naked shrubs

Shimmering with water droplets -

A galaxy of stars trapped after night’s retreat

Recklessly waiting for the sun to fall asleep

The return of Night’s shadowy embrace 

Freeing them to climb back into the sky.