Printemps

The morning sun rises between snow covered mountain peaks
It’s brilliant light casting long shadows across the hills below
Sunlight glistens off the surfaces and we stare, dewy eyed
The thin, weather-hardy plants are peeking through
Standing on bare spindly legs that managed to survive the long cold winter
The eagle flies overhead spying for breakfast to fill its empty gnawing belly.

Sun warms the mountain slowly as to not damage the life it holds upon its surface
The hillsides now speckled with white, brown, green
Speckled and mottled like a great horned owl’s coat
The mountain overlooks it’s domain with a watchful eye
Shadows play on it’s surface - forming silhouettes of eagles, ravens, coyotes, bears
Pulling me out of my slumber and urging me to walk with them
To explore the vast countryside
With delight, I cast off my hooded jacket and walk towards the riverbank
Breathing in the new scent of river melt
Like crisp snowfall
Soft and clean and still
Welcome