I prefer the shortest day of the year
the cold tight black and white frame of the day
an understated monochrome grey day
Frost in the air, sharp around the edges
A tight white sun, an old scar in the sky
that keeps a cool airy distance from me.
The longest day spreads itself much too thick
a whole plate of golden marmalade ooze
it stains the sky an old worn out yellow
A sun gorged and squat on the horizon
stuffed with all the daylight hours it can eat
sweating in it's own hazy heavy heat.
Sisters, these two, different as North and South
but give me the shortest day, any day.

copyright © the author, 2000