Winter Walking

cold radiates from the neck and thigh

against the warm room

mingling basic sensations

like the faint smell of bitter

amidst a banquet of sweetness

into waking

but which is dreaming?

moving through a mountain

in bright moonlight of winter

she becomes a shadow

like the tree veins 

in the snow

Maple Syrup Snow Cones.

Please put away your hand-towels embroidered with holly.  Let us melt the leftover chocolates and candy canes on hot stones as pleas for forgiveness. Isn't your stomach also aching with remorse?  Make room for silence.   

We remain untamed so long as wild silence dwells within.  As another year approaches, recall the sharp taste of alpine air.  Behold the stark bright space before you.  Now is the time to discard, to recognize, and choose the most excellent.  Without identifying the ingredients of our composition, we cannot fully choose, cannot truly decide to navigate towards something greater.  

This year, I choose joy.  acceptance.  endurance.  quality.