persistent as remorse

Bare branches rise
and fall overhead.
The barn door bangs loose,
persistent as remorse
after anger and shouting.

Dogs bark across the pond.
The shadow of the house
appears on the crusted snow
like the idea of a house,
and my own shadow

lies down in the cold
at my feet, lunatic,
like someone tired
of living in a body,
needy and full of desire. ...

[Jane Kenyon {1947-1995}, 'Full Moon in Winter' from Otherwise]