tree boughs still shake
when the wind blows
while squirrels scutter
on forest ground cover
crumpling dry leaves
once covered by 
harsh snow
falling hail
rickety feet
now free but dry
and cracked- easy to
be broken-
only boughs shake
naked limbs 
plunge toward the earth
wanting to take you up
rescue you from
the dry crackled 
groud cover-
into felshy arms
but a lonely existence
up there-
so the choice remains
to stay for another
season of snow and storms 
and rickety feet
an aftermath of brutality
and corruption and chaos
or to escape to the naked arms
above you. . . 

01.16.01