snow arrives in the morning 

quieting the landscape with a monotonous sigh

the hush unbroken even by raucous black crows

winter’s offering given without expectation

a brief pause in time and space

for whatever asks to be held close or let go

opportunity so take it

let what needs settle into fallow ground

pass upwards into scudding clouds 

grief joy tears laughter all equal

this season I bury unforeseen woes in the hard frozen dirt

send unexpected happiness to spread with the icy flakes

wrap kindness found in common encounters

around me as a blanket

warm in the mournful hours of night