Reprieve

Reprieve I too have gone
with a cracked jug for water,
wept by a wall,
felt neglected in church,
I too have wintered
alone like a rabbit,
starved on my pride, been
storm-whipped like a birch,
wandered a hillside
where thieving crows plundered
a lark’s nest, been locked out
of my house at night,
heard a harsh word where
a kind one was needed,
waited for day through
a long anxious night.
I too have watched for
delayed buds to open,
begged clouds for rain
when drought struck my land,
then wept like a fool
when frost’s teeth loosen
their hold on my heart
at the touch of your hand.