December 2025

seasoning scene-setting dark gray passed over by the wind that pushes through some texture in the sky the merest hint of blue between uncertain banks of white before the short day leans a near western horizon closer until the solstice fires might invoke or simply ask for change c l couch photo by Vadim Sadovski on Unsplash

the shining

the sun is
shining
on the snow
the dance
of heat and cold commenced
and should the fun in that
not
be enough then add
wind
all only in hours on short days
thus
to realize
endurance
more than victory
to play

c l couch

(while the car is snow-covered and medical directives won’t allow me to shovel or to brush)

photo by Kristina Kutleša on Unsplash


words as mystery
(not seconds but minute meaning small)

snow
the branches tell
and might
try to lift
to sing
but might have to leave it
not by breeze
but
by the birds

cardinals and blues
that might shake themselves
and
minute by the branches
vibrate anew
by warbling
a song of nature
and to
think of nature’s God

and if Pan
as in the forest of the wind
in
the willows
then Pan shall serve
as well
the setting
shaking trees
the
singing from the colors

joy
the noise of devotion and
of peace

magic
and if magic
then by
God

c l couch


photo by Melissa Burovac on Unsplash