you hear the clearing of a throat
first whispers of a hum
not quite on pitch but 
comforting all the same

as your heart, that has hibernated long
awakens
thawing slow in springtime sun

and before too long at all 
(or perhaps at long, long last)
your heart, that has beaten all along
faithful 
          but silent 

raises its head to open its mouth 
          and sings…

and that long-awaited sound
and the gladness that it brings
is worth every, single moment
of a lengthy winter’s wait

heather pound 2025

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash