Song for Spring

*This poem was written in response to and closely mimicking the style of Redemption Song by Kevin Young

—

Spring Sings.

The solemn spell of

winter’s whispering, blinding breaks

clouding my vision

is gone. I can feel

the sunlight from my window, sun

that pours itself in

and no longer must fight.

This would be harder

if warmth didn’t spread its wings

over me – even as grief whispers

Sadness is part of my soul

and am I a fool

to yearn to lift myself

from this mist

and out of this chill.

See the budding

flowers that spring up

from the ground – remind me that

all things can be

made new again.

I will always think

grief: that soft cold thing

is lurking –

I am done with

crying myself to sleep.

Done with hovering

between the sheets in a pocket

of warmth in hope of

chasing away the briskness

hiding in my bones.

I’m calling it quits

with being kept here

once and for all –

is depression, the sadness

or the mental trap

you’ll never escape.

My thoughts take shape –

as the last ice melts

away to the budding promise of

new peace.