I sit by the fire, snowbound
on this winter day
trying to sort thoughts
into conclusions.

Memories decorate the mantel of my mind
with trophies of success.
Tucked behind them,
almost forgotten,
lurk reminders of my failures.
Surely they have played
as large a part in the making
of this me as any victory.

I stir the fire and my thoughts turn
to the future. I am certain
there will be ample fuel to stoke
the embers, wind to fan the flames
as long as I require warmth and light.
Then, unbidden, come visions
of the inevitable disappointments,
the losses, great and small.

And yet, here on the verge of saying,
“Enough, no more,” I find myself
excited by what spring may bring.

--Elaine Parker Akin