(Author’s note: On January 20, 2025, fascism replaced democracy in America…)

“The Grief of Winter”
© 2024 by Michael L. Utley

in each flake
a brief eternity
the grief of winter
as December bleeds out
and January’s hell awaits

there shall be
no insensate oblivion
no benignant Lethe
no purgatorial reprieve
awaiting us on eternity’s cusp

only the purulent spoils
of our own wretchedness
a just reward for
embracing hate
and abandoning compassion

we have chosen darkness
consorted with the enemy
sold our souls in our
lust for power
and betrayed our fellows

January’s hell awaits
and we will all suffer
for the sins of those
who embrace fascism
racism and intolerance

those with black hearts
and frozen souls
have birthed a monstrosity
a nameless winter wendigo
whose reign of terror awaits

and what say you
you betrayers who have
cast your lot with madmen
who would see your fellows
dead or worse

what say you
when your turn shall come
when your wendigo god
regards you
with its slavering grin

our new world
a vast expanse of ice
a permafrost desolation
incessant howling winds
and the screams of the damned

winter’s grief
the delicate crystal latticework
of hiemal tears shattered
human warmth is dead
eternal winter has arrived