taking winter

taking winter
 like taking medicine--
 a bitter herb that goes down rough
like the bare branches scraping against each other in the icy winds outside.

taking winter, taking time
 in these still-long post-solstice nights
 to keep the inner life alive
in the leaves of books and journals until the branches burst with spring buds.

taking winter
 like taking part
 in the breaking of bread with beloved souls
or in the dance of the earth around the sun, slowly tilting back toward new life.