Suspension
Jan 26 2011


After the storm
the world seemed unnaturally still.
Like an animal of prey, exhausted and dazed
the chase on hold,
catching its breath
in the brief interregnum of snow.
As the land rests quiet,
beneath the weight
of an arctic high
under smooth undulations of white.

Snow is the great equalizer,
concealing the wounded trees
the half-done things
the mess that emerges in spring.
Even the road is a blur,
its high snow-banks
almost submerged.
And suspended between
in a graceful arc
a perfect span of white
— a long unbroken bridge,
unmarked
uncrossed.

Before the plough,
before the road is scraped to gravel
margins sharply carved,
I will be first
to leave my footsteps
mar its perfection
signal
the end of rest.

When the struggle for existence
will begin again;
predator, and prey
resume the chase.