So mostly I don't get poetry.....or rather it doesn't "get" me. But I've come to think of it like coffee, or dark beer or tight jeans. Takes some getting used to before I'm entirely swept away.
And so it was with this poem....I had to TASTE it's dark aroma several times before I surrendered to it's charm. I have LOVED this winter...cold and dark and empty, the trees naked and cruel. Soon enough this winter will give way to the early signs of hope. But until then, here's to enjoying the necessary dark, whether it be Guatamalan Antigua, Guinness or Campion, with the silent hope of Spring.

Now Winter Nights Enlarge by Thomas Campion

Now winter nights enlarge
This number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Let now the chimneys blaze
And cups o'erflow with wine;
Let well-tuned words amaze
With harmony divine!
Now yellow waxen lights
Shall wait on honey love
While youthful revels, masques, and Courtly sights
Sleep's leaden spells remove.

This time doth well dispense
With lovers' long discourse;
Much speech hath some defence,
Though beauty no remorse.
All do not all things well;
Some measures comely tread,
Some knotted riddles tell,
Some poems smoothly read.
The summer hath his joys,
And winter his delights;
Though love and all his pleasures are but toys,
They shorten tedious nights.