The Red Flower

The day sagged under heavy wind
Piling up drifts on lawn and street,
Colder than iron the air complained
In clouds of breath. Beneath my feet

The path toward home renewed itself
And fired with hope I pushed my way
Into your arms, the ice bound door
Closed on the dusk of a winter day.

Then in your face I saw the light,
The deep June hour when nothing said
Among wild strawberries searching hands
Touched and clung while the berries bled.

This summer love melts winter fear
Because your kiss has made it so,
As if inside our window bloomed
Some great red flower against the snow.