twinleaf

two missing petals but still an immaculate shadow

hepatica in bloom

I jangle the loose change in my pocket

weighted by ice

the laurel leaves turn pale-side up

snow-covered gabions

suddenly I want to descend those giant steps

in the snowy track

a grass blade curved into the Arabic for “eye”

January moon

we startle at each other’s faces

heart-shaped hole

in the black cherry snag flying squirrel dung

ephemeral pond

the trees wear icy collars at the high-water mark

porcupine

dressed as itself on Halloween

huckleberry leaves

in their autumn burgundy slow vireo song

wingstem

the buzzing gets louder every time the wind blows

a forest glade

gracile stalks bending under the weight of seeds