Groundhog Day

The coldness of the den, comforting and safe.
Long has it been since the warmth of the sun.
The safety of darkness has filled that void.
The urge from inside him whispers to waken, to venture out.
Cautiously he stares, the door a barrier between safety and despair.
He builds his courage, the consequences sure to be.
Slowly the handle turns, door creaking open.
The wind rushes through the door, chilling his face.
He steps outside to clouds and blight, gloom his friend.
He will be able to go on, darkness shielding his path.

O’ what is this?

A crack in the sky, a reason to retreat.
She breaks through the clouds, piercing the cold.
He backs towards his den, his senses betrayed.
A warm feeling crosses his face.
Shades of color blanket the landscape.

He remembers.

A new feeling of safety fills him as he looks around.
He faces her to take in more as her rays blanket him.
Filling his soul with her he turns around.
Face to face he stands with his shadow.
Slowly his shadow grows, it envelopes the land.

O’ he remembers.

Meeting his destiny once more she fades.
The land covered in grays his den calling for him, he retreats.
Six more weeks, another lifetime in length.
Guardedly he closes the door so no one notices.
He lies back down without question.
Senses betraying him one more year,
One last thought of next year’s routine grazes his mind.
A hope of something different, doubtful he knows.
Uncomfortably comfortable it has become.
The darkness safely blankets him for another winter.