first snow of winter
soft and light
just enough
to cover everything
 
it falls silently
through the lovely branches
and onto the silent ground
 
tonight I am filled
with a kind of peace
that touches
the top of my head
so faintly
it might be snow
 
it says stay    relax
embrace the breeze
that swirls calmly
through your self
 
and I do
 
snow falls
out of the blackness
and through the flames
of my little fire
miniature falling stars
or lightning bugs
seeking refuge
from the tiny cold
of their own
small light
 
I add 3 logs to the fire
then four
 
I know they are watching me —
fox     skunk
possum and squirrel
raccoon and coyote
birds
swaddled in their elegant wings
 
I will add extra logs tonight
so the fire is warm enough
that they may come out
and lie with me
and the birds will land on the ground
and on my shoulders
and we will share the warmth
 
oh please JahJah*
let them come out now
so that I may scratch
the skunk under her chin
until she purrs
and the chickadee will perch
on my finger
that I may kiss his tiny beak
 
I've made the fire
nice and warm tonight
 
please                    let them come out
 
if not now
later
and I will dream of
leaving my chair
and lying down among them
thankful for the warmth of the fire
and for each of their small bodies
warmed by the comfort of trust

From Sundowning (Main Street Rag, 2020).
This poem first appeared in The Lake (May, 2016).
Used here with permission.
 
 
*Jah Jah as a term for the Lord God of Israel