This is the fittest season for her death
when January winds truncate our breath
with piercing stabs of driven snows and sleet
exhausting all resistance to defeat.
They bend us to abandon crippled pleas
that we might once again enjoy the ease
and cherished comfort dwelling close beside
a woman where plain charities abide.
She warmed our fairer seasons, bearing round
and ample luxuries wherein we found
full summer's worth of merriment and play
enkindling joys that radiate today.
With heat retained against this winter storm
her gifts remain to fuel us till we warm.
February 2009