2.1.15 The Passage of Time In One Place

I remember this day clearly; 

when Shiva was a mere pup of 14, 

 soft red Husky fur a stark contrast 

to the soothing darkening of a 

late midwinter's day 

As we ventured down the iced path

 through the forest teeming

 with immense Pine and Fir 

past reams of small ponds with the 

frosting of rains, frozen

Now glistening with deep ochres

 emerald greens and soft blues

As the scent of the forest filled the stilled air

 inhaled into our bodies, walking down the 

ice-slicked hill, onto the  crusty boardwalk, through the 

wetlands, trees laden heavily with yesterday's snow

The lake emerging before us, the final 

ramp precarious and unstable

 upon its barrels in the waters 

Across the lake, frozen areas and then movement of waters

as the brook streamed in, and the falls drained away

Out beyond were groups of Mallards

dipping their heads to feed, then sitting up once again

peering at the two of us, warily 

As a gust of wind rose up from 

somewhere across the land 

and came barreling through 

Tossing snow down from 

the high boughs like some confetti parade

 descending, mute, upon us 

And the Pines then did sing a quiet winter wind song

of days and nights, season upon season 

the passage of time in one place