The sooty snow
blankets the fields
blowing like
a still ocean
off the precipice
of the horizon.
The clouds
of ash tinged cotton
hug the earth
a blanket
under which all life
finds refuge
from the ghosts
of winter.
To the wanderer
which the cave mouth
which the cave?
above only sky
beneath only dark gray clouds
the sun is content
a mountain of clouds
rises from white tufted bed
the earth is watered
in winter’s icy chill
ripples from autumn’s pebble
await the spring sun
the leafless ginkgo
taunts the first snow of winter
with the dream of spring
In the dark of night
clouds gavotte across the sky
we awake to rain
There is no snow here –
we dream of Fujiyama
imagine winter.
A thousand cranes rise
take wing over the city
smiling at the sun.
The dawn failed to appear this morning.
There was a slight lightening of the sky,
more a change of grayscale shade
that a shift in time-honored by the sun.
The crows seemed to notice, why else
would they stay silent, so unlike
most days when the first rays of sun
were the call to take up the cacophony chorus.
Even the squirrels noticed, and hid in the trees,
knowing this was not a normal day,
but soon emerged when the siren’s call
of nuts outweighed their fear.
We trod on into the park, picking
our way through the piled snow,
cursing winters cruel approach, our path
lit by our fading memory of summer.
On this one a taste
clinging gingerly,
on this one clumps,
here a variegated blanket.
Each tree bears
the burden of winter
in its own way.
The small dog
frolics in the snow —
now appearing from,
now disappearing into
clouds of flakes,
while his master
stands in the door
cursing winter.
As the temperature
slides below zero,
even the snow
imagines itself
a wave
cresting onto
a South Florida beach.
The clouds build slowly
threatening to overtake
the maple’s red leaves.
October cloud knives
Slice branches from saddened trees
Leaves fall in mourning
Dogs peer at dawn’s sky
And slowly don winter coats
Knowing geese take flight
Tomorrow the snow
Will not fall from evening clouds
But soon, very soon
