(To be read only with one’s tongue at a ninety degree angle inside one’s mouth and firmly thrust against the inside of one’s cheek.)
O misery of Cave!
Cold Blanket of Winter
Wrapping ’round flesh and bones!
O despair of the Dark,
Day scarce diff’rent than night -
All flesh woefully moans.
O Truculent Season!
Living Death of All Life -
Banishes color green.
O Robber of Visions,
No interest emerging -
Thief of Beautiful Scene.
O Imposer of Gray,
Brown, and Infinite Beige -
Imagery impov’rished.
O Inconstant Season
Of freezing and thawing -
To end you I’ve oft wished!
A cheer for the springtime,
A hiss for the winter,
The death before new life.
O emerge from the Cave
To thawing of senses,
The end of wintry strife.
*Inspired by the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder