Gnarled by wind,
Bare from winter.
Yet, in the spring,
It blooms again.
New growth.
My heart,
Laid bare
By the winds of change
Deadwood.
Yet, in the spring,
There is some faint green,
Some life still showing
Stronger for having survived
The winter.
God, who brings
This spring into my heart,
Also brought the winter--
Not so that I would be hurt,
But so that I would be stronger.