the quiet

freshly cut winter wends
through my veins

left here
i seep and spread with the air
watching my breath escape

robbed, naked trees bow their hair
toward gravity
as i watch
and all inside of me
is hewn rock
or tumultuous water flowing
downward

submitting

my gasps pass quickly
into the swallowing forest

my thoughts evaporate

cold is green
and i surrender flesh and fire
to her embracing landscape