the cat slept all day

turned tightly into herself

a sublime wisdom

snow begins to fall

silencing the day’s hard sleet

the night grows colder

ice brightens the moon

along the bare branches’ backs

like a hot whip’s snap

by morning the snow

drapes the yard as if with light

the chimes slowly sound

a lone mockingbird chirrups

inside the house the cat waits

(February 18, 2021)