Winter Poems by Martin Hicks

SANDALS IN WINTER

Sandals in the winter-time old

Prophet wore to shield tired feet,

Useless for grim frozen clime, cold

Heavy-wet, white-burdened street.

Under leather grey socks showed

Grimy toenail poked hole through.

When eyes widened and locks flowed

Stares askance curb-curious drew.

Topcoat full length hung as cape loose

Without arms put into sleeves:

Madman's mantle, sable drape long,

Style matched darkly one who grieves.

Personage by warmth taught new birth

Heedless of the current drift,

Stated present season's true worth.

Patience ripened, extra gift.

Tossed in drop-in church together,

Faithful asked, “Why Jesus boots?”

Straightway seer said, “I search weather,

Makes soles needed on burnt routes

Once heat visits snow-clogged climate.”

Foretold chapped lips optimistic,

“Zodiac and screen-blogged claim it.

Hence worn footwear, realistic

For when bright bud bursts in flower,

Bird trills porch and patio,

Kind beams frigid forms empower,

Music fills land, sterio.”

Sage remarked Spring seemed delayed here

Yet claimed solstice still neared site.

Such pronouncement briefly stayed fear.

Six months later words proved right!

-Martin Hicks

THE FROZEN FOUNTAIN

In city park stands fountain frozen

French student passing called fontaine.

My guess, last keeper here had chosen

To leave with wage and not maintain.

Ice arcs spout out of every nozzle

Since hid tap no hand turned to drain.

Around, about, keen motes bedazzle.

Behind, slate sky contrasts pink stain.

Fortuitous, last gardener's blunder

Flares pyrotechnics, unrehearsed;

For viewers awesome vitreous wonder.

Oh, surely, unseen pipes have burst!

Composed streams pose in air arrested

Now it's four weeks beyond December,

Surpass spell story-book suggested,

Great stuff of fairy-tales-remember?

Glaze glints once water, winter glimmer

Alights dull church and rectory-

Fantastic, unmoved, moving shimmer,

Whole high and wide trajectory!

A warm-dressed couple stroll together

Beside those jets from granite base;

See each direction shoots arched feather,

White-frosted edges spread frond grace!

Soon stony mood-gem feelings alter

As ever-changing hues enchant,

Until dusk's weakened glanced rays falter.

Hard wish is soft scene stays-but can't.

Sent curves are straightway lines extended

So caught Experience-still-might last

More hours than Happenstance intended,

Freeze-frame bright Present from dark Past.

Conclusion comes, as when cold started,

Where sapphire astericks fondly wink;

Conveys most clearly Truth imparted

While sight font-thirty eyes both drink:

Arrangement, catch bouquet mid-motion,

Clutch close glass flowers until they melt.

Would Beauty, Wisdom, crystal notion

Pause thus so Mind learns Love heart-felt.

-Martin Hicks