Overwinter

Plant me deep as asters, herbs and collard greens
Let me burrow snug, cocooned in damp rich soil, a
Blanket fertile yielding earthly scent of rot and
Mud and warmth protecting gentle inner seed,
Shielding self from fears and haste and sneak attacks.

Plant me deep in winter’s quiet, muffled frosty
Underground to germinate in shelter dark and
Spacious. Nature’s time, eternity at rest.
Patient, stretching rootlets dare to anchor in.
I overwinter now for growing when the time is right.

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Elizabeth Ewing returned to writing poetry in recent years.  She was selected from among many poets to read poetry at her county’s poetry award celebration and reads her work regularly in the Philadelphia area.  Elizabeth is part of Annie Finch’s Poetesses and Priestesses.  Prior to her focus on poetry, Elizabeth was a U.S. diplomat specializing in economic and environmental issues.  Elizabeth was ordained an Episcopal priest in 2012.