fire to ice

finally the storm settles
sunlight through gunmetal clouds
a flashing beacon, heralding hope
to the cold bones trembling in the snow
hoarding mitochondrial warmth
tiny flickering flames
in the beating-hearth, kindling-stoked
between frozen earth and sky

relief comes as sweetness
a stretching of limbs
with twitchy whiskers
and a wary eye
for the normal dangers hovering
at death's door buried
deep in the sky

and the weary heart
sickened with sameness
awakens to the fleeting contrasts
of light pouring to shadow
and love pouring to loss
and breath pouring to life
and life pouring to ice
encasing cold heartless graves
where plastic flowers, like scudded clouds
are pitched against the briar fence
offering creature comfort
to the small and meek
seeking shelter there

yet still the heart sings!
and leaps to the promise
of sunlight piercing cloud
heaven heralding hope
and the earth spinning fire to ice
like a diamond in the eyes of a child