by Diana Morley.
Swearing
at the arctic blast
fast-freezing
my nose to toes—
laughing
at my old fridge
whining pitifully
ice cubes clinging
together, chilling.
Late afternoon
still a hard shine
on the dark-watered lake
frozen overnight
hiding life and depths.
Backyard snow
reflecting sunlight
into my home
till early evening,
the bright white cover
now a low glow
as if lit from below
holding tracks
from gentle wildlife
leaving for the day
passing under trees
that drop clumps
of snow to the ground
planting water for spring.