An Interregnum of Calm
Dec 25 2022
The storm finally relented.
The clouds broke,
and we blinked, looking up
at an unfamiliar sun.
Then shovelled out,
making slow headway
going at it in layers
through the monster drifts.
It was as if overnight
the world had been remade,
it looked so different
under so much snow.
But untouched;
cold and crisp
and glittering with sun.
Wind-whipped
into smoothly sculpted shapes
that could have been modern art,
flowing and swirling and dipping down
into cleanly scoured gullies.
And working methodically
we carved out of it
a small space for ourselves;
geometric walls
straight lines
right angle turns.
In the aftermath
of such ferocity
the stillness felt monumental.
Imperious nature
granting an interregnum of calm;
like an all-powerful potentate
dispensing clemency
to her underlings,
while she busied herself
with important affairs of state.
A raging blizzard
in the days before Christmas.
And on the day itself
an island of peace.
As well as purification
by hard physical labour
in the welcome light
of a low winter sun.
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