Little Eagle, before storm, the South Wallowas

WINTER PATHS—refuge . . .
seventeen 17-step poems

(i) Inverted sled

at winter camp: after

storm, two fieldmice

call it home.

(ii) Among the alder

with hanging catkins,

a nest

that was left behind.

(iii) Where is the Dipper's

house? Behind the waterfall,

the rock,

or the stream?

(iv) The hut was locked

all winter long:—

a sure sign of

mean-spirited times.

(v) The barn cat has

the best of both worlds:—

free mice, free milk

set out, each day.

(vi) Eagles return to the same

twig nest each year. Why

change what is

perfect?

(vii) It remains a deep

mystery where the ravens

find cover

at night.

(viii) The limits of natural

refuge

are bounded

by clear necessity.

(ix) Hording space,

building fences,

making money,

the land I rent to you.

(x) The best refuge of all

is intelligence,

the worst,

is fear.

(xi) Beautiful!

the light of welcome

seen through the snow

of a winter storm.

(xii) Safe. Warm. Dry. Out of

wind. Close to fire.

The snow above

never lets go.

(xiii) The sign read: "Foreclosed.

Evicted. For sale."

There was not a

soul in sight.

(xiv) The guestbook read: "I

was lost. Found all

I needed here.

Door was open."

(xv) As she left, she

built a tepee fire,

and left a matchbook

with a note.

(xvi) "Strike this match

to light friendship's path.

May it stay lit

all along your way."

(xvii) An overturned boulder

as big as a house:—

it all began:—

right there.

VII.4.2009,
Muir (Crater) Lake,
Eagle Cap Wilderness