Chance Encounters
A moment’s pause
with treat in tow
a moment
to breathe in
the scent of snow
and look over
the world
with an
assessing eye
and enjoy the quiet
pit pat of new snow
then off to home
and a crackling fire
to settle in
and get warm
for a while
Shower Time
Nerves sensitive
with sharp edges
and prickly moments
when others approach
dissolve
with a deep breath
of wet air
as rivulets of water
trail down
over scarred flesh
warm and soothing
they wash away
more than sweat
but help
ease nerves
and lower
unnecessary defenses
End of Day
Golden glow
pours
through windows
and spills
across tabletop
and crystal bits
and
collected detritus
coloring
the world
in the warmth
of day’s end
creating
a lazy moment
to sit in stillness
Expectation Fails
More snow
I whisper
as I wait for flakes
to fall
and yet
it still
does not come
and my longing
for crisp air
and muffled sounds
of boots
through white
remain
Unfulfilled
Where Is It?
The promise
of snow
is announced
in a line of icons
on the screen
and yet none comes
to cushion
the world
in silence
weather man
is the only job
where you can
be wrong every day
and keep your job
Winter’s Promises
The slightest peek
at a hint
of blue
shows that the sun
still shines
brightly
far above
even
as storm clouds
roll in
to promise
winter has just begun
blue skies are boring
Twisting the Leaf 