After some twenty of them

had been disposed of

during the waning moon

with costumes and masks and enchantments

he now wished he had not sacrificed his sons

laughing

they would never throw themselves down weeping

to die of grief

we have to rise

just as vegetation dies only to reappear in the springtime

what’s wrong with the way I kiss? Asked the winter wind

everything

i replied even as I thanked Boreas

in the deep of my heart

for the sweet relief from the smoke and flames

then it was

during the waxing moon

when costumes are removed

masks unmasked

enchantment is revealed

and winter is come