bringing down
the last of the sweetgum balls  —
winter's first snow

she teaches me the song
of the white-throated sparrow —
listening for spring

restless winter night —
the cold tightens its fist
as an owl looks on

holiday baking —
Oma’s notes to herself
guide me instead

cold December air —
starlight quenching a thirst
we didn’t know we had

startling the sparrows
tucked into the azaleas —
the sound of wings

dark-eyed junco
hopping along the fence —
common and yet not

whose wish prevails
when the turkey wishbone cracks
right down the middle?

first frost —
test results coming back
positive