As I was driving home today, I came up with the beginnings...

Working title: Bound

I've had a hard time reconciling
the long dark nights
that have slowly arrived.

When the blanket
of evening
tucks in the day,
I feel muffled;
the door has been shut for the night.

To leave the confines of our house,
unthinkable.
I am desperate, helpless.
But not agoraphobic.
Don't get me wrong.
I can leave; I just feel like I can't.
Like it's not an option.
Like I need to cuddle up
to the fire that we don't have.
Put on slippers,
make some tea.

You shouldn't be surprised
to learn, then,
that my favorite day
of the winter
is December 22nd,
when long days melt
into lightness,
and I am assured
that we are indeed
headed once again
into spring.