early spring creek

icicles get wavier as they near the water

such a presence

the snow all around is flecked with black

only its inner eyelids have fallen shut

move silently where horses once paced

skinny shadows lead to thorny trunks

the setting sun fingers two witch-hazels

any arrangement of sticks seems significant

only the H is still visible on the No Hunting sign

root hairs on a toppled tree are the only gossamer

weed stalks stipple the mountain laurel’s shadow

a doe follows the bootprints as far as she can