It's Hard to Dream in January

A hopeful stream of consciousness poem written on a cold winter night.

It's hard to dream in January
when the only thing stronger
than the cold that bites your flesh
is the gray that hides the sun.
It's hard to dream in January
when the wind beats your house
without the mercy of summer's warmth.
It's hard to dream in January
when nature is on respite
and days are barely long enough
to call by such names.
It's hard to dream in January
when the steam of your breath
is the best sign of life you'll see for months.
It's hard to dream in January
when there's little hope for spring to show
from under all the layers of snow.
It's hard to dream in January
when the cold grips you so hard
you can hardly inhale.
It's hard to dream in January
when all that is dreamed of
seems to be light years away;
but dreaming must continue
for without dreams,
there is no hope.
and the only thing in January
harder than dreaming
is trying to survive
without hope.