As the sun is to the city In the endless weeping winter So is joy to me, and pity When he leaves me, falsely tender Like the true love's knot we tethered Plastic ivy 'round the portal For to frame the spring forever Though the blizzard took the mortal holy rose It's always winter when he goes As a matter of convenience We don't speak of dying gardens As a woman of heart and lenience I make liberal with my pardons I am generous with kindness He, with smiles and exultations Though he binds his wounds in silence I my own in practiced patience, lest he know It's always winter when he goes He collects the twigs and briars I stack them up for fire But it's chilly for the burning He slumbers in the straw I hold out for the thaw But the seasons won't be turning As I'm writing you this letter The bluestem's runnin' riot The daisies break their fetters And the bees will not lay quiet If you find him where he's dancin' With his lover or his jailer Say in April's splendid mansion I lay broken by his trailer in the snow It's always winter when he goes