Winter

as winter arrives
fog seeps into the valley
under a veiled moon
–
harvest moon-
the arthritic fingers
of barren trees

a deep mountain pool
overflowing with moonlight
waiting on the rain
–
predawn silence-
dew collects
on fallen leaves

walking in the snow
grinning as you casually
step in my footprints
–
robin tracks-
early spring
snowfall

picking myself up
from all the times I’ve fallen
back in love with you
–
floating ice-
piling up
downstream

awake at first light
realizing far too late
I’m not who I thought
–
venus rising-
difficult memories
consigned to the fire

gilded double doors
open with empty promises
of false salvation
–
heavy leaden sky-
swollen riverbanks
poised to overflow

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

staring deep into
an empty sheet of paper
conjuring the muse
–
winter’s canvas-
a palette of pine
and fresh snow

a new day dawning
stale vestiges of the past
left by the roadside
–
first light-
the morning star
through hollow trees

chasing the sunset
just over the horizon
ever out of reach
–
hoary grass-
the sky aglow in
morning twilight