Grey


The February forest offers
ten thousand shades of grey,
haven for the mourning dove.

Black Bird


Singing in the tree tops
perched higher than your high note
morning is your muse.

Ridge


Just over the ridge
reside my dreams of Spring.
Leafy trees and blooming things;
the sun’s warm embrace,  kisses on my face.

Beautiful Day


A lace of branches
across the painted sky
the world is dressed up
and waiting for time to pass by.

Dormant


Four fallow fields full of snow
hold their place on the mountain side
patiently waiting for Spring to arrive.

Leafless


Black branches against brilliant blue
whispers of clouds wandering by
winter’s silhouette.

Wayward Donkeys


At the farm of procreation
the girls gather at the fence
their sweet eyes disarming undeserved judgements.

Green Being


The soul of the violet is green
and houses all gradation of color
for it is more interested in particulars than generalities.

Iris


Brown crown in the snow
marker of where the iris grows.

Window on Winter


As the cold has settled deep into the ground
stillness has wrapped itself around the house
and both accentuate
the smallest of movements and quietest whispers of the heart.

Beauty of Decay


Delicate lines, individual patterns, unique characteristics
these are the traits of spalting,
the mysterious work and beauty of decay.

Neighborly Kindness


In the dark northern countryside
holiday lights remain for much of winter
cheering us on as we drive past.

Coneflower Repose


As you lie in the snow
the stark beauty of your form and structure
announce themselves to the white, white world.

Cartography


Like lines on a face
bark is the map of a tree’s experience
a testament to the demands of living.

Skyscape


If I could imagine the threshold to heaven
it would appear as did this dawn
with depth and light beyond mortal comprehension.

Endurance


Dangling over the hard, frozen river
seedpods dance in the bitter winds of winter;
awaiting their new life flight on the gentle breeze of spring
and planting in soft, fertile ground.

Yellow Tree


A tree of color shouts out into the bright blue night
calling to the night’s first, tiny star
friend, I’ve missed you.

Wreath


Eucalyptus and juniper berries
grace the door for the whole of winter
providing protection and beauty to the house inhabitants.

Morning Moon


Like a sweet dream that lingers
the morning moon spies me through the trees
bestowing well wishes for the day.

Math


The winter term is in session.
The pond provides a lesson in icy geometry.

Landscape


Every evening as day departs
the sky reveals a secret
about the passage of time.