the expressions of a blanket half-buried in the snow
mountain ranges and glacial valleys
as poly-blend fibers wrinkle under the weight
fibrous and wind blown
like the mossy lichen
on a high isolated peak
cold to the touch and sticking to wet fingers
the ice sheet forms without fanfare
giving rise to reddened digits
and the first invitation to a black and lifeless
frost bite victim.
subzero temperatures
send swirling crystals high into the air
giving the image of flying diamonds
gently falling and twirling in a gentle winter’s breeze
rainbow prisms dance across faded wool
frayed edges play in the wind
twisting and knotting themselves
as if the weather
were attempting to **** or mend
the ancient coverer of bodies and equipment.
sad howl travels the length of the valley
carrying the sorrow of no spring on the horizon
branches brake under the weight of water, reshaped as an ice shield
mournful cattle huddle beneath a lone elm
leaf-less and barren
shivering leather stands in solitude
waiting for the growl of an old truck
to drag yet another bale of hay
out into the tundra. –