Category: W.H. Auden

We would rather be ruined than changed—W.H. Auden

**

The sun shines on budding branches;

snow has retreated into the shadows

exposing last year’s dead leaves.

A cacophony of cardinals, titmice, finches

sparrows, jays, and crows 

fill the chilly air.

I want to yell out the window,

SHUT UP! IT’S TOO EARLY!

*

I’m not ready for this.

I want to spend the day

by the fire with Jack Reacher,

sipping hot chocolate and petting the cat

while Jack beats up bad guys,

look every now and then

out the window,

agreeing with me and myself

that’s it’s too cold/snowy/icy

to go anywhere.

*

Hibernation may be dull,

but it’s a peaceful dull,

free from having to expend 

all that energy

walking in the woods,

planting a garden,

going to a beach,

having coffee with friends, 

celebrating birthdays with family …

*

But those damn birds keep chittering,

like an orchestra tuning up before the symphony begins.

***