Frostbound Defiance

You left the kettle by the

window

Steam had silvered every pane

I found your scarf beside the

doorway Still carrying the smell of

rain

Across the pass,

the cold wind turns The old

road keeps the marks of wheels

I hold the match,

the dry wood burns And ask

the dark what morning heals

Come back by the mountain water

Come back before the almond blooms

I kept a place beside the

fire

I kept your name inside this

room

A wooden bowl,

a chipped blue handle

Two copper coins beneath the bed

The village dogs begin their calling

As winter loosens from the bed

Across the pass,

the cold wind turns The old

road keeps the marks of wheels

I hold the match,

the dry wood burns And ask

the dark what morning heals Come

back by the mountain water

Come back before the almond blooms

I kept a place beside the

fire I kept your name inside

this room

If the road has taken everything

Leave one stone beside the gate

I will know the shape and

weight of it I will know

you were not late

Come back by the mountain water

Come back before the almond blooms

I kept a place beside the

fire I kept your name inside

this room

Come back while the coals are

breathing

Come back while the hills are

blue

I kept a place beside the

fire

I kept the door unlatched for

you

The kettle cools beside the window

The first bird calls beyond the

roof