Dwindling Winter

Not yet March on the calendar
but spring is anxiously positioning
itself for early arrival, noting
the decline of winter's fierce,
tempestuous displays of chill
as it squats on the landscape.

Early arrivals of robins, goldfinches,
doves and starlings have discreetly
joined winter-hardy birds of the
boreal forest. A great grey owl
queries us in its deep, hollow bass
echoing through the bare-branched

forest canopy. Crows circle restlessly
above the canopy cawing their irritation
at the owl. The wild shriek of a
pileated woodpecker bounces off the
snow-melting arras, its mood
chipper as its hammering beak.

Mild though it is, boots sinking
deep into the snow-packed trails
well littered with woody detritus
the wind is adamantly determined
in its intent to draw out its seasonal
collaboration with dwindling winter.