Gremlin In Scrubs

The graying, gaping sky is split

Each side a stretch of sunset lit

Across the glazing blue-green sea,

Upon the snow and back to me.

The cityscape between its jaws

Is slowly steaming as it thaws,

And raising eyes to what may be

A beauty born from tragedy.

Like shards of ice on rocky floors

Replacing smooth and sandy shores,

Or haggard limbs of crumbling brown

Replacing summer’s leafy down.

Or hearts grown cold from recent harm

Replacing those still young and warm,

Fragmented pieces of a soul

Replacing one still strong and whole.

Why are these raw and barren things,

So welcome in their wanderings,

How can such sharp and damp despair

Still lure us down and keep us there,

To slowly suffer life’s full force

Despite the writhing of remorse,

While we lie still in winter’s wake

And wait for gathered clouds to break,

To burst with warm and lustrous light

And dust the darkness from the night.