Snow

a walk in the woods-
the ice covered snow crunching
underneath my boots
–
freezing rain-
my nerves
tested

the last leaf of fall-
waiting for the warm spring sun
buried under snow
–
falling sleet-
an icy glaze
on english ivy

the scent of rabbit
coaxes the fox from her den
and into the snow
–
late winter-
fresh snow
on the deadfall

a pile of old clothes-
years of living on the street
etched deep in her face
–
dirty snow-
sleep arrives on
a cardboard box

winter moths gather-
snowflakes lit by the street lamp
in the bitter night
–
gathering drifts-
ice crawls up
my window

a cold rain falling-
trying to stay warm with tales
of wine and whiskey
–
white mountains-
caribou freeze
at a cracking branch

the fire laid on while
winter in all its fury
rages at my door
–
grey skies-
cruel winter winds
howl at the moon

far icy mountains
bathed in shades of white and blue
float on arctic seas
–
broken ice-
polar bears
search for respite

the hours before dawn
I wake to your skin on mine
under the duvet
–
winter’s breath-
maple leaves
under fresh snow

empty wine bottles-
binging our favorite series
into the wee hours
–
dying embers-
our feet under
the afghan