Grateful for my Winter Hat

my bones don't ache so much
with the cold, this december.

maybe, it's thanks to thawing smiles
beamed in my direction lately,
or his visible breath
winking at me on frosty days.

or our wet-lipped goodbye kisses in the rain
and friends with pure ecstasy
bubbling out of their laughter,
and careful steps home at 2:45am.

maybe, my limbs have ceased
their hungry shivering because
they know they'll soon be enclosed
within arms that squeeze but don't restrict.

but it's probably because
this december,
i have a rainbow hat
with a fluffy bobble,
and fleecy grey gloves
that tickle his hands when he holds mine.

- j.f.