winter lingers
with its wind and cold
wanting to persist
tenacious and bold
but the birds tell a different story
their songs melodious and light
arriving to sing-in the new season
their notes uplifting and bright
and the crocus too defies the cold
pushing with persistence from the darkness below
unfurling delicately despite the hard soil
a beauty that melts the dusting of snow
when I am restless, tired and weary
I long to listen in the darkness of night
amidst uncertainty and looming despair
for whispers of good news subtle and slight
for a different story among the stories
that sings with truth despite the strife
a story of peace and harmony and beauty
of grace and love and abundant life
Holy Encounter 