The Winter Garden

Happy 17th anniversary, David Kneen. This is your invitation.

Come walk the winter garden, love

Before the springtime flurry

Slow your steps beneath the grove

Of barren branches swaying

The sap within the evergreens

Has only slowed, my love

While the centers thicken deep

To bear the weight of verdancy

Still latent in the cold

Come stroll against the chill, my love

Until the early evening

Wait and watch the stars appear

That shine upon our sleeping

The silver ice upon the leaves

Is only dew, my love

And will melt in time to soften things

And slide into the wakened streams

That glisten in the sun

Tread light upon the path, my love

Among the slumb’ring seedlings

As pallid blades of grass give way

And blow beyond our keeping

The silent sleep of hidden blooms

Is just a spell, my love

Their secrets wait in cold like this

To open to a vernal kiss

Enchanting winter’s wake

Slip your hand in mine, my love

As seasons find their ending

Come walk the winter garden love

And rest, the spring will come.