White frost on the ground;
Nervous bird chirps and flutters;
Chill wind swirls around.

The shadows are dull;
Sun seems half hearted today.
What's it waiting for?

Roadside snow hangs on;
Frozen patches here and there.
Will it ever melt?

Today woods look deep;
Bare trees go on forever
In shadows and light.

Narrow old dirt road
Twists and bends into the woods
Where it joins the trees.

Dark shadow on bush
Looks like one more sumac bud.
Then it flies away.

My doggy friends bark;
They do not recognize me.
Am I different?

Each smiling, we pass
Beaming on the day's wonder--
Great to be alive.

Clear fingers of ice
Hang over the rushing stream.
Today, water rules.