Oh winter, ice-sharp throated traveler
wrapped
in
paper stories of pioneers and mariners
tucked tightly under the felted arm of a northern wolf
with antlers of borealis and thundersnow
Ruby cloaked migration to warmer climes
tricked by the
paltry
and
powerful forecast
of this winter fog
Pace measured
by teaspoons of brilliant amber birch
seed to branch to blackwing-feathered things rising to the lingering frost veiled moon
shadows hide my secret passage
promised to no one
Well then
softly
softly
bring me pieces of your broken apology
Softly
softly
bring me to the foot
of
the gnarled tree where butterscotch owls reside hunting small stone gods
Oh
Winter!
Of sails and plains--of storms;
apple-pressed tales wait
No song sung, no dainty dance done
upon the ice of moonlight
Pass, pause
press on to spark
into
a thousand blue-violet dreams
of deep-set winter wonder's weight
Oh Winter!
