A series of waterfalls 

Too small to be named.   

Here, she seeks the frozen 

Stillness 

Sounds of water 

But it eludes her 

That soothing Wilderness  

Of ruffled current, soft noise, & gentile fear. 

 
She looks behind, for mountain lions 

Who do not appear in solid form 

And the bear who skips winter’s sleep 

Just footprints in snow. 

 
They meet her at water’s edge 

Through snags of rhododendrons 

With lost springs at their feet 

Nothing left except desire 

That sip of the coldest waters 

Hearts exposed  

To cool air & curled wind 

Outside of skin, coat, fur, and claw 

To witness 

The soil stray         among

Hearty leaves, fragile flowers.