January

January entered like a knife.
Cutting deeply.
Drawing blood.
Unexpected.
Still…in shock.

Has it always been like this?
The last few Januarys I can remember…

Perhaps January arrives in violent chaos
While we seek stillness and new beginnings.
Perhaps to awaken us.
Perhaps to galvanize.
To let us know we must fight
If we want our dreams to survive.

Coughing. Wheezing.
Bleeding. Sneezing.
Licking wounds.
Tending to the hurt.

Still…the first drops of winter descend.
And, the snow sparkles like starlight.
Perhaps, as if, to soothe.
A shimmering, transcendent peace.
Nourishing…
As it quenches our collective need.
Offering benevolent blessings.
And a reason to keep moving forward.