Winter and Spring

The longest night has come and gone,
and days will slowly lengthen
until the days of early dawn
when sunlight's power will strengthen,
to warm the earth and seeds below
and wake new life from sleeping
there underneath a quilt of snow
from winter's icy weeping.
New growth begins, in spite of cold,
Forgetting frosty darkness,
Then flowers bloom and spring takes hold
Adorning winter's starkness.
For now, the nighttime comes too soon
And morning comes too late.
It's barely bright even at high noon,
So I will rest and wait
For long clear days and outdoor fun
That smiling spring provides
When birds and I bathe in the sun
And sing of the season's tides.