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February is the month of promise — at least here in Saskatchewan.
Winter holds sway, a heavy hand upon the dormant land.
But each sunrise sneaks in a minute or two earlier and the day
stretches itself like a tom cat, out for the first time in weeks.
Before the shortest month laps the track, the first migrating birds
complete their astonishing flights back from wintering grounds.
Winter snow banks fall in upon themselves like sunken cheeks.
Sol climbs the southern ladder higher daily, muscling cold aside.
Seed catalogues sprout, greenhouses germinate new growth
and those who said, No more gardening for me! recant.
Sometimes a clipper wind hurls itself down the Rockies
and hotfoots across the plains, nipping at the heels of winter
Before spending itself in its haste to eat the snow; then winter
reasserts itself for a short time, confusing and confounding us.
February is the ultimate contradiction. It drives us to distraction
because it’s full of promise and enticement it seldom delivers.
© by Glen Sorestad.
Used with the author’s permission.
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Glen Sorestad is a Canadian poet, fiction writer, editor, publisher, anthologist, and public speaker. Author of more than 25 books of poetry and numerous short stories, his work has appeared in more than 70 anthologies and textbooks and his book, Selected Poems from Dancing Birches, was published in Italy in a bilingual edition. Glen has been appointed to The Order of Canada, that country's highest non-military honor, served as Saskatchewan’s first Poet Laureate from 2000 - 2004, and has given public readings of his poetry in every province of Canada, as well as in many U.S. states and many parts of Europe. Glen lives in Saskatoon with his wife, Sonia, who he claims is his "first and most enthusiastic reader and editor." Learn more about Glen here.
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Lesia:
Such apt description. I have deleted the word shortest, and substituted February in your poem with the word March. It works! Winter holds a vice grip here in Edmonton.
Posted 03/04/2014 08:59 PM
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Robert Currie-DEL:
Glen, I like your imagery much better than I like the month of February--especially the way it's been this year in Saskatchewan.
Posted 02/23/2014 07:18 PM
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Larry Schug:
I'm not confused by February but am, indeed, confounded. Have Mercy! Good words, as usual, Glen.
Posted 02/23/2014 09:39 AM
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gigi:
Perfect description.
Posted 02/23/2014 05:39 AM
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