The Ostrich's Call

In times of war the call was heard
to “Hunker down, my boy!”
When war comes to my psyche--
The wintertime and chill-
I quickly heed that wartime cry
and burrow down again.

Burrow into bed…
encased in blankets stitched with love,
and dream about a better time
when loyal friends abounded--
When they loved me with a richness
that I thought would never end.

Burrow down again--
that time exists no longer…
so cuddle up with memories
of friends and family now departed.
Wrap yourself in sheaves of blankets
and nestle deeper in.

Burrow down again,
retreat to loving arms of the one who really loves you.
He says to just forget the hurts and try to go on living;
but doesn’t he believe in war
-the war against my psyche?
Can’t he see the cold creep in and fear the coming winter?

Sometimes it’s hard to go on living,
like nothing ever happened…
-like I have friends who have endured
and I’ve never lost a child, a friend, a mother…
So… in times like this, when sorrow overtakes me,
I prefer to dig my hole-and burrow down again…

I could try to make an effort
to live my life today,
and forget about the hurts and pain
and with a smile reign;
but when I peek outside my bed
I see it’s snowed again.

The world is too cold today
to erase the chill and pain.
Instead I jump back into bed
and dig my hole in the sand--
Living life contentedly
in my dreamy ostrich land.