And so
this frosty morning
a little
Je ne sais quoi
in the air, to blare
like a loudspeaker
fastened to the top
of an old Chevrolet:
the month’s name
(lest there be
any cold confusion).
It is February.
The month
that offers
neither promise
nor apology.
Not even
in a leap year.
Linda McCullough Moore is the author of two story collections, a novel, an essay collection and more than 350 shorter published works. She is the winner of the Pushcart Prize, as well as winner and finalist for numerous national awards. Her first story collection was endorsed by Alice Munro, and equally as joyous, she frequently hears from readers who write to say her work makes a difference in their lives. For many years she has mentored award-winning writers of fiction, poetry, and memoir. She is currently completing a novel, Time Out of Mind, and a collection of her poetry. www.lindamcculloughmoore.com