Winter

This can be such a difficult time of the year for those of us who have experienced great loss. Nothing feels right. It is supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year" yet we struggle with overwhelming feelings of sadness over the departure of those dearest to us.

I wrote the poem below for a wonderful friend who has recently gone through a great loss. She was describing her current season in life as the "winter of my soul." Her beautiful words inspired me to write "Winter Branches". I hope that those of you who are experiencing grief and loss during this Christmas season will find comfort in these words.

Winter Branches

Winter white, stark and bare.

These are the clothes of grief I wear.

Hard and cold, no life giving.

How can I go on living?

Dead leaves of autumn are covered by snow,

Their colors buried deep below.

But I know I've been given the promise of spring

Where all things are new - to this do I cling.

The tree that seems to be void of life now

Will soon display a wealth of green boughs.

The stark winter white of grief that I wear

Will put forth new buds of faith, hope, and care.