Frost

absent sounds of night
muffled by the blanket of
winter’s arrival
–
sudden snow
a southbound flight
interrupted

waiting for the train
a low mournful whistle drones
off in the distance
–
an iron sky
heavy snow falls
on distant peaks

air laced with woodsmoke
thick with a rich silence as
the rain turns to snow
–
twilight
listening to
the snow fall

frantically rushing
worried that I’ll be late for
my disappointment
–
winter’s breath
making the trek
to an empty woodbin

jewel in the lotus
tibetan prayer wheels turned by
cascades of water
–
a winter dawn
snow skates across
the temple threshold

ice over fresh snow
the delicate crust holds me
momentarily
–
warm green grass
a raindrop rolls
down my cheek

an icy black rain
the autumn harvest freezes
while still in the field
–
a desert night
cold hard water
feeds the fire

living day to day
ignoring where I’ve been and
what the future holds
–
frost on the grass
awake in the dark
breathless and immobile

the low morning sun
behind a red crepe myrtle
it’s branches aflame
–
fresh snow
blowing alight the coals
of last nights fire

long morning shadows
the first sign of winter falls
from the autumn sky
–
winter’s finger
paint on my
window panes