despite a sky
rubbed gray
and trees being bare

we are in a February thaw

although
we didn't get here by accident

it was something we didn't wait for
but decided upon

sometimes thinking isn't
thinking at all

it's listening
and trusting the message

in concert
with the search
for the highest expression

against council
and my better judgment

I have deleted many
of my cherished poems

some I would call
my darlings

Whit Howland © 2020