Memories

fragments of time
stored in life
from birth to death
events engraved

most lie buried
forever lost
others laid bare
by joy or pain

the most intense
invade our soul
there to haunt
remaining days

Frozen Lake

in frigid light
I walked its shore
through crunch of snow
and biting wind

its surface glazed
with snow and ice
a flock of gulls
its only rise

I stopped to scan
the distant shore
where barren trees
in silence stood

and there I saw
a coyote stroll
his muzzle raised
to sniff the air

in search of prey
he stalked the reeds
where voles and mice
endure the chill

his search in vain
he stopped to rest
and caught my scent
across the lake

no sense of threat
he met my gaze
a shared respect
in winter's realm