Old Promises
Nov 3rd, 2008 by Liz Bennefeld
In August, I entered my first poetry contest. One of my poems received “Judge’s Pick” recognition and will be published in the third annual SFPA poetry contest chapbook. I understand I’m also to receive a small honorarium for allowing the poem’s publication.
That last day for submission, I wrote three poems to submit to the contest. “Old Promises” is one of them. “Luciferase” is the other.
“Old Promises”
by Liz Bennefeld
Winds sweep down the mountain,
bringing fall rain and winter snow.
Gone, the light and warmth,
the joy of first harvest.
Huddle together, now, in inner rooms,
saving the heat of breath and closeness,
sparing peat and wood until the solstice,
looking through despair to spring’s warmth.
Remember the time before, the time to come.
Recall the warmth, the energy of sunlight,
warm glow of flowers in the dusk.
Recall the lightning and the fire.
On this world, too, as on that left behind,
the seasons come and go with purpose.
New planet…but old promises hold true.
After darkness, dawn–and after winter, spring.
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Copyright © August 31, 2008, by Elizabeth W. Bennefeld. All rights reserved.