OK Emerging Ink

Winter Egret

sing your melancholy melodies

as you soar between the snowy branches

from which hang glittering Keys 

feel their warmth between your talons

as you pick a fire to condemn

Key clutched tight, fly to oceans of ice

that glimmer under silver moonlight

does it feel good

as you drop the Key into the pile

abandoning your anger

as it clinks against a Key of sorrow?

Winter Egret

fly back to the nearly-empty tree

branches freezing without the warmth

of its burning golden Keys 

ask yourself,

does it feel good?

or is emptiness

not the same as relief?

Winter Egret

with a heart of branches and leaves

one day, you know, the ice will crack

or the barren tree will freeze

Barren Trees 

Winter Egret

raise your head

as the Ebony Crow flies by

singing songs of trust and betrayal

of Water and ice

not unlike songs you used to cry.

the Ebony Crow is far from home

and could use a word of guidance

you could ignore its songs and remain alone

or fight the cold to provide it. 

Ebony Crow, 

the Egret sings,

its voice empty and frigid.

do not fly alone through the snow

for the storms are mean and wicked. 

you’re not where you intend to be

in a world of frost and sorrow

if it’s help you need, then allow me,

I’ll have you back by tomorrow.  

the Crow flies down and lands on a branch

above the Egret’s head

it studies the Egret with inky eyes 

before it turns away and says,

Winter Egret, you are mistaken,

you cannot help me go. 

you need the help far more than I,

for you’ve chosen to be cold and alone.

if you wish to change, then return your Keys

and chase the cold away.

and with that, it opens its ebony wings

and continues on its way. 

Winter Egret

soar through the trees

and to the frozen ocean. 

look frantically for your pile of Keys,

but the ice had long ago broken.