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