the wind is strong tonight
demanding a fire inside
to ward off the cold and wet
no music other than
the sound of rain
its notes and rhythms
the clouds releasing
their hoarded moisture
crowding against each other
i want thunder and lightning
i want the morning after
poppies shivering, unsure
of whether to open
i want the afternoon light
filtering through the clouds
coaxing petals to unfurl
make me like the poppies
help me brave the chill
let me blossom in the warmth
let me be so bright
narinda heng 