Winter Forest

Visiting Dad’s grave yesterday, I had a strong sense of his absence amid the fundamental indifference of nature.

winter wind

porcupine napping
on the latrine

in a cold cloud
trees and all

When I stand up, I see the large coyote that’s been watching me—who knows for how long—from 50 feet away.

shadows
of witness trees

Over the past year since St. Valentine betrayed me, I’ve shed four stone walking it off.

how to scratch the mountain
until it purrs

If I were a tree, head-down in the earth, I’d stretch one toe into the clouds.

from a dangling vine
the wind and me

[haibun]
snow-bound trees
I’d like to die
on my feet

the other mountain hidden
by falling snow

the absolution
of snow