Winter

nestled in the snow
a single long stemmed red rose
rests on your headstone
–
cold rain-
in the gutter
a bouquet of roses

this taste of sunshine
after the dark dry winter
barely slakes my thirst
–
crokus blossoms-
eagerly defy the
lingering winter

thousands of moments
the taste of a prior life
memories of you
–
late winter-
pockmarks
in the snow

eyes looking inward
staring into the darkness
barely held at bay
–
cleansing breaths-
the forest
whispers

the low morning sun
full of threats and promises
through the falling snow
–
skies alight-
the rumble
low and throaty

coruscating snow
slithers across the highway
hastened by the wind
–
morning sun-
cherry blossoms
in the snow

after the thunder
the sun dances in the snow
through the parting clouds
–
winter morning-
a snowy egret
dips her bill

lives in transition
our time of death uncertain
until the next one
–
morning glory-
time enough
to live again

at once of two worlds-
straddling the razor’s edge
between life and death
–
winter sun-
the hawk’s shadow
grows smaller

packed commuter train
a stranger’s breath on my neck
making my skin crawl
–
rising darkness-
the files close
and I’m alone