if I could freshen the day…

if I could freshen the day
like flowers kept
in the ironstone pitcher –

trim away the wilt,
snip the calloused ends,
gather up the fallen curls
of color from the floor

if I could invite the breeze
to brighten the gray
garland of winter hours –

I might better stand the sting
of lingering February
and find the light
amidst the hardened snow

© Sarah Whiteley

My newest chapbook Wandering Wonderful is now available for pre-order from Finishing Line Press.