Traveler! Watch Out!

From walks of January 23 and January 25, 2019

Harris Wofford's dead--

Another piece of my life

Gone....gone...with the wind.

A blue gray white light

Fills the landscape of white snow;

Birds fly back and forth.

Beyond broken fence

Rooster crows in his comfort,

But no hens respond.

There are no ripples

On the frozen stream's surface

And no sounds below.

Its mouth opened wide

Not filled with any letters

Settles for some snow.

Neither this nor that--

Gray world hovers between them;

Will it rain or snow?

They're hanging between:

Transparent crystal drops--

Liquid or solid?

Lying on the bank

With air of insouciance:

Dead leaves reclining.

Bright sun shines on snow;

Scattered cloud puffs in the sky;

Birds swoop in and out.

Christmas ornament

Hangs a month after Christmas

With its memories.

I fall on my ass

And get up slowly and walk--

My show must go on!

Treacherous ice lies

Looking very innocent.

(I've learned my lesson).

Stream is flowing,

Breaking and dissolving ice

Rushing who knows where?

Where is St. Francis?

Almost concealed by the snow.

His faith sustains him.

Water on the ice

Shines prettily in the sun--

Traveler! Watch out!!

Through trees and windows

Woods beyond car can be seen;

Always the forest.