The Storm Before The Calm

Do you listen to the wind
          When it shrieks at night?
Do your fingers numb
          When they touch the snow?
Do you burn your tongue 
          When you sip your tea?

Those are only some 
           Of the happenings of winter.

There is also the chilling grasp of cold that freezes the spine
           And the cuddles in the comforter
           And the wool socks
           And the ugly Christmas sweater
           And the old shovel
           And the fluffy hat
           And the everything soup
           And the hot chocolate
           And the whiskey, late at night. 

I sit on my sofa
           With the sun against my face,
And the door slightly open 
           And the fresh air coming through.
I sit and long for winter,
            Somewhere far away.