This is the weather
 
that drives us close together:
 
frigid winter nights.

 
 
 

On long winter nights
 
more than once I’ve been surprised
 
by sunflower dreams.

 
 
 

I don’t ask for much—
 
a warm bed on wintry nights,
 
and breakfast coffee.

 
 
 

On bitter-cold nights,
 
my grandmother’s threadbare quilt
 
somehow keeps me warm.

 
 
 

long nights, lonely nights,
 
since the last night I saw you—
 
end-of-winter blues

Nights

 
 
 

How many long nights
 
until it’s corn-planting time,
 
and then till harvest?

Havana

 
 
 

dreaming Havana
 
steamy Caribbean nights
 
women clad in song

Endless

 
 
 

in the temple court
 
crickets chiming endless psalms
 
holy summer nights

Empty

 
 
 

too many late nights
 
too many early mornings
 
beggar’s empty bowl