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A distant birdsong
lies in the highway’s faint hum
in a snowy field
1.
Icicles caress
the leafless flower garden–
droplets drip, dripping
2.
A walker spies thier phone-
while a dog paints graffiti
on a snowbank
3.
Cycling red and green
cars emit thunderous waves-
a crow flaps its wings
From wintering trees-
the notification pings-
a lonely bird song
Tomato poles stand
in the snow covered garden-
patiently waiting
1
Palouse snowfall
somewhere Paradise Ridge
cannot see me
2
The burning candle
on this cold winter day
shivers
3
The Orchid bloom
illumines
this winter morning
I stop and take a photo of a couple sitting outside the coffee shop downtown. It had just been snowing and I think to myself, “A snow-shower would have been a nice addition.” (It had been snowing during most of my walk).
I walk by their table and notice two Canon cameras and strike up a conversation.
The couple say they are out taking pictures for the day. We talk about the Palouse and I find out they are only here for a month, finishing some work at Washington State University, and have a desire to be back in the big city.
They notice my FUJIFILM X100S with its bent sunshade and scratches. I instantly think of the many miles I’ve walked with it hanging from my shoulder and I wonder what bends and scratches their cameras will one day show?
As I get ready to leave there is an uncomfortable pause. I think because of the inability to shake hands, because of COVID. After it passes we share a slight head bow, smiles, and a friendly wave goodbye.
Turning in the night
my head finds the pillow–
between dreams
Shrieks of joy
footsteps splashing-
winter rain
1
2
A flip-flopping leaf
dancing in the gusting winds-
winter butterfly
3
A car zips by on the curve moving from Bryant to Darrow street.
Out of the corner of my eye
I notice a quick wave.
I wave back.
4
At Palouse field’s edge-
unmoving in winter breezes-
golden Orchard Grass
Wintering seed pods
sparkle evening’s peaking sun
hillside shadows gleam