“As Winter Arrives” (Winter Contest Honorable Mention)

by Nik Shultz

I’ve never loved autumn like I did this year

Turning over the leaves with gentle kicks

Harvesting the fruit of years

While fresh growth keeps going

Even as it grows cold

And I remember things I have forgotten

And search for my heavy coat

And feel my skin grow dry

As the sky grows dark

And the work piles up

And my hope still holds

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