Grace

This year, I doubted.

I did. It sounds silly. Childish even.

Here, there was never a reliable schedule

But it happened before Christmas

Always, before. 

Here, the colors were never good for Instagram

Ochre, sienna, umber, browns all

Never showcased on classroom walls

But here the change is welcomed still, a respite from the heat

Christmas slid past, hot, distanced

And the oak held on, or was it us?       Not trusting the fall.

Not in this new world

Not with all the changes. Somewhere, sometime, faith awoken

And, late, reluctant, scared

They fell.

And ancient twigs show bumps anew

If you look, if you wait and look. 

Winifred Riser. 2022.

Winifred Riser is a Houston-based painter who’s acrylic and ink works explore her place within the natural landscape of Texas and the Gulf Coast.  She lives with her husband and three boys.