As Any Animal Must Know

water above, mountain below

Montreal Sunrise, 25 January 2025, photo by the poet

As any animal must know,
winter is a temporary
affliction that will soon pass.
In the meantime make the most of
the frozen river shortcut
to your warm home along the shore.

The day is dawning cold and clear,
and you will find a sunny spot,
heat up a cup of good cheer,
and open up the book of now
that is a revelation
of your soul’s inner equinox

and the recollection of the
future and its many seasons,
facades of reality,
anticipations of past times,
all enfolded into this
momentary sanctuary.

Look out your window at the scene:
the downy woodpecker and the
three sparrows at the feeder.
You need to replenish the seed.
You need to write this poem.
And you will, a little later.

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