I Stand

I stand here, amidst the icy mist, in a short cotton gown, ill suited for such conditions. The freezing fog engulfs me. My mind spasms. My legs ache.

But I will not sit down.
I will not back down.
I will not go inside.

I will stand here while chaos falls all around me with all the force and thunder of a tropical storm, rain drenching the cotton gown, ankle deep in mud.

But I will not sit down.
I will not back down.
I will not go inside.

I will remain here, as the rain turns to snow, as the lashes of my eyes are silver with ice, as the white flakes stick to my skin, numbing all feeling and turning my red blood deepest blue.

But I will not sit down.
I will not back down.
I will not go inside.

I will stand here, firm and resolute, awaiting the thaw, awaiting the Spring.

For after Spring, there will come Summer.