Day Five

                         When Winter Waned the World

Ever changing

always the same

snow to ice  

white, white, white.

Reflecting light

collecting none

on and on and on

until one day…

Winter waned the world

and softened up its grasp

first on the southern slopes

of mullein and toadflax.

Then green shone from the lawn

and rivulets sang, we’re free!

The quail came down all in a row

for gravel and some greens.

In a glade upon the hill

where the sun stroke rich and warm

a ladybug and leafhopper

awoke near an old cistern.

The hawk spread wide his wings

and sailed low across the field

mice shook off their frosty domes

to see what brown would yield.

The solitary heron

stood guard upon her stilts

and faded, slowly faded

as the snow began to melt.

The cliffs, all dressed in black

sang out a creaking song

an echo of an answer

and then the frogs were gone.

 For the brilliant winter sun

ducked behind the highest peak

and the deer began their journey

from the hill down to the creek.

Their sharp hooves speared the earth

and churned up narrow trails

with the coming of the darkness

their journey never fails.

High in a ponderosa

great horned owl winked an eye

then turned his head to listen

and answer another’s cry

Wings without a whisper

he flew to another tree

called out to his neighbor

and she answered, I agree.

Winter softly sighed

as the stars shone one by one

and I am truly Thankful

though winter is not done.

Rhae A. Eaton