Winter becomes Spring

though most our days are cloudy

around sunset

the sun often lights up our world

rain instead of snow

these days

snow is thawing

my creek and ponds (still frozen)

rise and overflow their banks

I stepped outside

 a skunk wandering by

happy and cautious was I

last night it got down to 19F

creek and ponds

froze over

creating their temporary 

sacred geometry

~

I believe that  winter has bowed out to spring

~

*

Spring Walk

walking in the woods

a cool day

mixed with warmth from the sun

paused at a muddy spot

to consider paw prints

looks like a young lion passed by

a gentle breeze passed through

carrying the subtle scent

of skunk and pennyroyal

(photo not pennyroyal)

 I wonder at the story...

 who got sprayed by a skunk and why 

I smelled something similar this week

near my cabin

a lion killed a deer

I set a trail camera on the carcass

 checked the camera a couple days later

and this is what my camera captured:

 pausing in one spot

treasures found

a sleeping lady bug I spy

and a bumble bee flew by

new growth on Tamaracks

yellow violets sun bathe 

trees with vibrant buds

in one spot it feels 

as though the entire spirit of life exists

(moss flowers)

I find quiet joy in this

~

*