prelude

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crystalline white flecks
meander in their descent
through frigid air,
scatter along shoulders, pine branches,
black rubber handles of the snow machine
​
expansive cold echoes
off trees arching on the horizon
under a fading Arctic sun

beneath corrugated Styrofoam snow
lies at least six feet of ice
rugged and trustworthy
until spring thaw

on the lake's edge, the snow moves.
crystalline white flecks
transform into six, no eight,
feathery white spheres;
Ptarmigans unfettered by fear,
lacking survival timidity.

bored of the Ptarmigans' slumber
the sunburst fox darts away
elsewhere in the bush he will succeed
in finding a meal willing to play
hide, seek and scamper.

quiet, immobile,
the four parka-ensconced bundles,
visitor Canada Goose clad,
breathe in ice crystals
condensing upon exhale.
then they amble onto their machines,
and rumble away.

after the snow machines
disappear from the horizon,
the Ptarmigans wake from their stupor

confused,
they stumble across the lake
clear of danger and noise,
machines and foxes.

crystalline white flecks
continue to pitter-pat
showering feathery beings,
dotting green branches,
even the fur of the vibrant orange fox
catches flakes as he zig-zags over forest floors.

crystalline white flecks
meander in their descent
through frigid air,
blanketing the ground
into the coming night.

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