full wolf moon....

Full Wolf Moon--
so named by the Native Peoples
of the northeast for the howling done
by hungry wolves in
dead winter.

dead winter
why consider winter
to be dead?
cold holds
the earth
cold surrounds
my home
cold permeates
my studio

i dress in layers
undershirts
turtlenecks
sweatshirts
socks on toes
that hope not be
chilled

i walk the garden

crunching snow
scooping the dogs' gifts"
glancing at
the brown skeletal
remains of

last year's growth

and as i wander
i sense the quiet
the peace that comes
within this resting season
knowing
that unseen forces play
below
cells divide slowly
waiting for the warmth
knowing they are alive
simply waiting
knowing the cold is
but a passing thing