A sentinel.
She stands.
Each morning,
other side frigid window panes.
A single, shriveled leaf borne,
sole remains from bounty once red.
Grey. Shorn of cover,
rising grace.
Sharing border of scalloped fence,
crammed Cedar triplets,
crowned with remnant of last snow perma-glued with northern breath.
Dogwood.
Hungry, bony, striving arms.
Thin, linear mirrors of white gold mined from mid-morn hour.
Perch for the Tufted Tit Mouse and female Cardinal.
My mother visits. On red-tinged wings, abundant breast~
reassurance of love and apology descended another plane.
My winter gift.
Thank you.
