Sleep now, summer is over
Shed your colored gowns
And show your strong bones
The white will soon come
To comfort you

Wait for the warmth
Of the sun near a’coming
Wait for the birdlings
Safe in your arms

Feel them?
The squirrels at your feet?
They look to you
To keep their stores safe

Wait for the buds
Oh, how you’ll be blooming!
When the pale light breaks the hold
Of the ice on your arms
And the Earth comes to life
After deep hibernation

The small fawns playing
In meadows uncovered
Shed your dappled light
On cool Earth again

Wait, for soon you will be
A new mother
Let new life grow in your womb

Caress the fluttering children
With strong arms
Embrace the fleeing
Child once more

Bide, for birds and the squirrels
Bide for your small babes still yet unborn
Bide, don’t lose hope
Stand a snow longer
Bide, for the new sun
See now it approaches