January's Children

January's vast wings are sweeping
away November leaves, December snow
blustery and warm, loud enough to wake
the violets still snuggled up and sleeping
in their tender beds of mold. Oh, shake
your children gently, January, throw
the covers back, but we need keeping
from the frost and from the heartbreak.
Give us space and warmth enough to grow.


Hold on: January's wings are sweeping
out November leaves, December snow.
The treetops dance as wild as if they're keeping
hold on January's wings. Are sweeping
changes coming to wake up the sleeping
violets and make them start to grow?
Hold on, January's wings. We're sweeping
out November leaves, December snow.

Two versions of this. The first is free rhyme on a more or less terza rima skeleton. The second is a triolet.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside