Time

shining white marble-
the mourning dove comes to rest
on a lion’s mane
–
time worn steps-
halfway between patience
and fortitude

february hush-
dawn reveals willows dressed in
january snow
–
sunrise-
crusted snow
underfoot

ivory wavelets-
remnants of the evening’s wind
scalloped in the snow
–
winter’s fury-
a tempest borne
on driven snow

partly melted snow-
embers from the campfire rise
toward the gibbous moon
–
a distant glow-
wood smoke and laughter
carried on the wind

draped in tulle and lace
far below the frozen sea-
immemorial
–
nestled in
the ocean deep-
lost to time

a willow’s caress-
snow laden branches reach down
to stroke the water
–
frozen stones-
roiling water
skinned in ice

dark ominous skies-
the grey wolf moon veiled behind
a thin scrim of clouds
–
winter jetty-
snow falls on
the rising tide

opalescent clouds-
shadows on the moonlit snow
cast by trees long dead
–
dying embers-
in the dark I become
the falling snow

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone
–
meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying