Color in February

This morning the curtains glow

the color of embers.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s still winter,

still New England

and on the other side of the window

the mute trees hold the cold inside them.

If I step outside for five seconds

it will settle into me too

but this morning, propped up in bed,

engulfed by aquamarine pillows

and honeyed shadows

I could be in Florida or Morocco.

Even if I’m not, the sun is getting stronger

by the minute. Soon enough

there will be places in the body

the cold won’t reach.