Darkness

rooted to the ground
frozen, my mind replaying
one moment in time
–
blinding sun-
the city street
unnaturally quiet

sitting on my couch
not sure if I can get up
after shoveling
–
rabbit tracks-
a snowy owl
motionless

hushed and reverent
watching the moonrise and the
rebirth of the year
–
midnight-
snow falls over
the farmer’s field

shrinking from the light
blended into the shadows
I’m invisible
–
dusk-
black clouds
rise from the earth

the walk to the car-
turning my jacket collar
up against the wind
–
aging-
cold breath
on my neck

the solar transit
far to brief indeed on this
winter solstice day
–
winter reborn-
I depart and return
in darkness

seeking inner peace
yearning to quench the darkness
that burns in my soul
–
wildfires-
a cold late
autumn rain

freshly cut lilies
pure and white and beautiful
laid upon his chest
–
city streets-
a blanket
of fresh snow

in the evening sky-
the suggestion of darkness
from the crescent moon
–
new moon-
black before
the dark of night

warm spring afternoon
rolling down a grassy hill
into a mass grave
–
wispy clouds-
grass stains and
smiling faces