Aubade

The cat has been out all night,

and comes in, quickly,

looking for a place to sleep.

 

There has been light snow,

settled into the frozen grass

up to its brown tips. Soft

 

dawn light on Mt. Jefferson

to the west. An hour will pass

before the house begins to warm.

 

A sharp wind curls in from

the canyon, and like a stranger's

unexpected touch, reminds me

 

that even your anger

would be welcome company

on this late winter day.

 

Redmond, Oregon 1986