Gray sky and gray mood;
Car slushes up behind me,
Then slushes away.

Gray wisps of wood smoke
Dissolve into grayer sky;
Snow field is slushy.

The stream is melting;
Ice gives way to swift water;
Slight winter retreat.

The woods look soggy;
Phantom moves among the trees--
A chill up my spine.

Warm breeze over snow;
A squirrel jumps down off the roof
And sprints up a tree.

The wind is rising;
Dead leaves race across the snow;
Tree limbs bow and bend.

The clouds are mottled;
Light and gray swirl together.
Slush tracks in the snow.

Ripples in the snow:
Overflowing melting ice--
A polish of water.

A strong burst of wind;
Fir trees shake, whisper and wave.
Rumors in the woods.