Ali Salzman
Winter Lessons
Snowfall feels
like the beginning
of a poem.
The sky hardens,
opens,
blooms and lives
on our tongues.
Snow shows us
how to be still
while remaining
in motion,
how to savor
our ripe cheeks,
how to hold
hot coals of memory
in our mouths.
How tender
our teeth feel
against the wind.
How easily
we’ve learned
to silence the storm’s heart
with a whisper.
I promise her
we won’t miss the cold
once
it’s gone.
One day, she’ll learn
Spring is never enough.
How could it be?
About the writer:
Ali Salzmann graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Texas State University, where she currently works as a Lecturer. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Austin Community College.
Image: Falling Asleep by Nikolay Vryasov. No medium specified. 174 x 142 cm. No date specified. By permission. Vryasov is the O:JA&L Featured Artist for July 2019.
