The Sun Must Rise and Set

The snowbirds will tell you how

they can fly away from the frost

and live beyond their fickle means

in a mansion aplenty by the sea.

Once, I could have taken you there,

to a place where the waters were so blue

you could see your reflection in the ripples,

and time was a construct that mattered

little in the face of the sun’s whims.

But even the dreams must depart

in their time and season well,

no matter how we wish we could stay

and live through glamorous asides—

no, we must go back to the land

that gave us birth and shelter,

no matter the tides of wind and hail.

When I return, there will be ice

and a moon that hides its face

beyond the veil of clouds—

and I will think of you, perhaps,

the one who never knew either shift

because you were too young to know

anything when you left us so suddenly.

All I remember is the way you shook,

trembling like you were in cold water,

and calling for Dad wasn’t enough.

It’s been a long time, years into decades,

but I still wonder what you would think

of your gray-haired brother who just

wants to escape the winter a while.

Did you like what you read? I hope so! There’s more where that came from over on my profile page where you can find more poems, short fiction, and articles from me. You can also find me on Twitter if you’d like to chat. Thanks for reading, and all support is much appreciated!