Winter at the Cabin
My memory betrays me.Who roared loudest?the enthusiastic creekengraving itself upon the landhewing a new bed for springthe howling pine boughsangry with the wind for spoiling carefully combed coifsor the insistent rainpelting a ceaseless tap danceagainst my nylon jacketYet I ventured to Hat Creekto be close, to commune,to refresh my spirt
among my prized companions
Sugar Loaf over Old Station, CA. 2002
the towering pines and dancing cedars,
the silver, spotted, unseen trout slipping
beneath the churning, roiling
torrents boiling
heavy with the weight
of winter
racing with abandon
carefree in its cleansing
of summer visitors’ sins
this is where I live
even when I’m miles away
in my home
my soul is here
among the elegant herons,
the glistening, gliding water snakes,
the evergreen firs, and majestic oaks
and more recently, hauntingly,
the great bald eagles
nesting in pairs,
and soaring with my gratitude
for their peerless presence
to give thanks
I venture into torrential December rains
just to be, to connect
Now, physically in their presence
I am immensely humble
and jubilant
and exceedingly, unbelievably,
incredibly wet
© 2004