Hounds Of Winter

Pacific Northwest this time of year
rain and windy, minimal Sun
not a climate everyone can handle
mentally the roughest part

Lack of light can dampen spirits
lessen initiative for action
sometimes the entry to SAD
gloomy grays lessen hope

Sunshine lovers from other places
sometimes find themselves going back
addictive engagements go up
alcohol, lottery, smoking, to cope

I recall my first sojourn
brother’s college graduation
not even Winter
but the year Mt. Saint Helen blows

Person after person telling me
how beautiful Oregon was
ash stuck all over the place
a most disconcerting time

But the consequence of that ash
being the Nirvana of food for roses
the next year was glorious
all colors of roses blooming

Back to Winter, the spark leaves
people functioning on robot
vitality zapped when holiday
cheer and goodwill call for the day

My remedy is the sound of music
the stereo in fine form
cds on the shelf
and the instruments

The bass from the band days
and the mega heavy amp
I get older but that mother
stays the same weight!

Three guitars- one electric
one acoustic, and one
acoustic/electric
much lighter second amp

Laser tag a terrific mood elevator
but the most expansive
a victim of Covid
not close anyway

But the consistent fallback
the Mecca of bookstores
Powell’s my world of wonders
books are the crack for my brain

So when the hounds of Winter
come knocking at my door
I say read, write, make music
and press repeat