An Early, January Thaw

Thaw with her gentle persuasion is more powerful than Thor with his hammer. The one melts, the other breaks into pieces. - Thoreau

where last night's recycled, acid rain hadn't quite yet finished washing away the recent memory of unchaste, fallen snow

oh where did yesterday go

memories are like rising dough

today's sun exhaled warm, consoling breath upon it

aging a young maiden's fragile, young pelt

as she traipsed and frolicked beneath her best sunday bonnet

providing deep fodder for a lost man's seasoned sonnet

sitting nearby 'pon my usual bench with milo

playing a no-stakes, solitary game of numberless high-low

wondering what it is that i used to so well know

oh why did i let her melt

Author's Note

“In the winter, warmth stands for all virtue, and we resort in thought to a trickling rill, with its bare stones shining in the sun, and to warm springs in the woods, with as much eagerness as rabbits and robins. The steam which rises from swamps and pools is as dear and domestic as that of our own kettle. - Thoreau