a maple leaf
inlayed
into winter
Leaf Skin
as the snake
sheds his skin
trees discard their leaves
Unfurling
the birch presents her alabaster skin
to springs gentle administrations
Unwrapped
The birch unwraps herself
revealing her alabaster skin
to the May sun.
Wind and Reeds
The river wears the weather like a skin
a snake skin she sheds from season to season
She slithers into winter, slowly slowed until dormant.