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
