Keeping Warm

Keeping Warm
by Herbert Merrill

What if the laughing creek is
    bound
  In ice and night is bitter black?
The mole is snug beneath the
   ground
The mouse is warm in his
  haystack.

What if the pond is turned to stone
  And the fields are crusted white and
    chill?
Beneath the snow the seeds are
   sown,
  Patient as time and living still.

And what if winter stalks the house
  And whistles down the fireplace?
We sit here snug as mole and
   mouse,
    With springtime smiling on your
       face.