Warmth encircles my shoulders. A gift,
a green-plaid blanket from my brother.
Somewhere, soft piano falls and lifts.
Guitar strings thrum, low and gentle.
My mind blooms outward—I want everything
to be exactly as it is.
Outside, thick snowflakes wander
downward. I’d never have chosen
a green-plaid blanket for myself. But
my brother,
I’m glad he chose this, exactly this.
A gift.
Lydia O’Brien is from northern Wisconsin and spends a lot of her time reading and watching snow fall.