Held in its cruel grasp

The earth shudders

and tries to break free

Tears of salt and ice water

flow down paths,

sad rivulets of winter

sigh as I walk past

Yearning for balmy weather,

My heart burns for warmth

Waiting impatiently

for the first hint of green.

Today, I saw a sparrow.

It flew with long strands of grass,

away and past my reach

Hope rises

Like the burgeoning sun,

spring shall return