snow

snow is layered in thick
muffling the sound
of my Epiphone thunder

Dark Days / Winter's Duties

robes are layered

double thick

warding off 

the north wind 

once more

up the snow dusted ladder

one last untangled strand

wound through 

apple tree branches

a little more light

on this darkest day

of a dark year


the tired monk

winter wood

axe held high
let it fall
 hard
splitting winter wood
 stack it in tight
 to the temple door
 ready for the waiting cold

aged temple dog

i)

aged temple dog
wakes slow
stretches out
old bent legs

heads out
on her
under table rounds

ii)

eyes are going
just a few dim shadows
flicker in the light

ears are pretty much gone
sounds are fading
dancing out just past perception

nose is rock solid good
reliable and true
one final sure and steady sense