The Winter Belongs to Us

The winter belongs to us,

We who cuddle close for warmth

We who steal kisses in barren boughs

We who trill shrilly at the sunrise

Celebrating its golden warmth

Excitedly dancing on treetops.

So fly away, far south,

You aren’t welcome until spring.

—

The winter belongs to us,

We who hop happily in snowy streets

We who play hide-and-seek in frozen forests

We who spend our days cajoling the clouds

Our silhouettes on high wires,

Painted against white gray skies.

So do not come back,

We are happy here without you.

—

The winter belongs to us,

We who do not flee forsaking the cold

We who soar synchronically like waves

We who love this place much more than you

Warmth in our beating breasts

Keeping us safe from icy winds.

The winter is ours,

It belongs to the sparrows.

Elliott Thomas