(C)2002 Rosemary J. Gwaltney

Snowy nightdress drops
chaste and new in pale bare sun
naked earth opens

White sky feathers float
ice crystals in free form dance
around steamy panes

Choir of splendid lights
white stars ascend night’s full stage
pure timbre quivers

Gray steel shore to shore
fresh snow skitters in sharp wind
old fishermen wait

Frozen stars unveil
lavish quilt of silent snow
train whistle echoes

Slow snowy steps crunch
mile of deer tracks, forest frost
white mailbox empty

Nimble tracks in snow
thin lanky wolf bounds away
our plump hen dangles

Sharp claws clutch roof line
icicles captive in sun
weep slow narrow tears

Brilliant sun dazzles
glow on mounting purple clouds
thunderhead afire

Spring in strong rhythm
copious rain’s rousing beat
lively tin roof jazz

Springing between clouds
the quick bold flicker of sun
kisses me breathless

Expose naked earth
snowbound young deer four months dead
cold sun no mercy

Stream's fluid music
leaps down field over smooth stones
plays ice lullabies

Purple sky highlights
forest’s sharp black silhouette
evening’s night light dims

Fresh scent of rich earth
hands urge new life to flourish
greenhouse birthing room

Pensive virgin field
awakes in sun’s warm embrace
flushes timid green

Fragrant in soft wind
crisp yellow lace bobs gently
daffodil unfolds

Great heron lifts wings
glides silently over marsh
shadow companion

Morning train rumbles
whistle echoes through cedars
unzips mountainside

In child’s eye
compassion wells
pearl falls




(C)2002 Rosemary J. Gwaltney