Thaw

The air hung soft,

a breath I didn't know.

Not the sharp bite,

just a hesitant, slow

unfolding of heat.

The hard ground sighed.

A memory of green,

where winter had died.

A bird chirped,

a sudden, small claim.

And the scent of wet soil,

calling out my name.

My coat felt too heavy,

my skin felt too tight.

A crack in the cold,

a tentative light.