Winter Storm

calm and fresh
the storm has passed
it rained and rained
it seemed to last

from Christmas day
to New Year's eve
it stayed and stayed
it would not leave

then quietly
deep in the night
it slipped away
before daylight

and now it seems
we're in between
winter storms
now we can dream

of spring's caress
its warm embrace
the surge of life
the smells and taste

of what will be
as all around
life returns
to sleeping ground