The Winnowing Season

Winnowing is as ancient as
Sod and plow, the time when
Chaff and grain must separate.

I feel the weight of chaff like
Picasso's dust on the soul,
The debris and decay of routine.

The steel gray sky commands
Me to be still as the year begins,
Before the mad rush is on again.

I will take stock of provisions
And map out the year's journey,
With watchful eye on the compass.

'Tis the season for winnowing,
A time to blow chaff off the grain
And dust from the soul.

~ Stephen Mendonca