Hibernation Averted

Each winter I have steeled my self to never give in
to slowly slipping mood
  to sadness coming with darkness
to the hibernation so very tempting

Never give up

the energies of spring and summer 
  that beg me to go outside
to see growth and blossoms

The darkness puts me to sleep
and yet there is still life and living to be experienced
   No snow angels here! - no gooshy mud puddles either
unless I go to the park and find squishey, slippery grass 

Takes me back to my childhood
and ditches full of water that run deep.
  Never give up those childhood memories, 
the ones that were fun, even if they did have a lesson attached

Never give up on that child
that child spirit still living within
  that child still determined to find fun and play
until playtime brings sleepy eyes and a pillow.

Never give up on all the children
that were one with those memories
   the sisters and brothers now as adult as yourself.
They too have their memories and live beside them.

Never give up on each day
whether sunny or gray, rainy or windy.
   In each day there is joy to be found.
Today it is the feeling of wet wind on my face.

“For in every adult there dwells the child that was, 

and in every child there lies the adult that will be.”

~ John Connolly, The Book of Lost Things

Author's note: Edited January 27, 2024