mill pond

January Sun

This January sun
is of bad faith.
The warmth she gives
is only illusory, bewitching and cruel.
Flirting with us,
she offers open radiant arms,
she smiles with uncanny fire,
she forces open our soul's shaded and protected windows,
and she lounges
insolently,
decadently and wanton
on our floors
on our beds,
where she will.

There is no heat from this flame;
the air between is brittle, sharp and inert.
This sun of cold uncomfort laughs at us from January's arms.
But is Janus who controls her,
looking ahead and
looking behind,
he counts her days and wills her time.

This January sun
will not win,
and mere mortals here below
will find comfort in her sultry sisters.
We have learned to wait
and mark places in our hearts
to remember
July.

We will abide January,
inured to her coquettish charm,
unbroken by her unfaithful veneer,
unmoved by her lustful advance,
yet
only too human to ache for her embrace.

Pat Hartono