the sound of deep winter no sound

on the table
a knuckle's worth of nuts --
over-indulgence

Solstice Rose

photograph by poet/artist

snow and ice burn through
the brief daylight hours --

the arc is complete

snows surge
up the coast --

the urge to nap overwhelms

bone-cracking cold descends --

Debussey warms the house

icy shards
pure color
petals break off at my touch --

wind whispers in the trees
earth expectant
we embrace an old friend -- snow