snow coats the world
a time-frozen rain
crystalline, distilled silence
filled with the pre-echoes
of children's giggles
and their multitude of footprints
a key
rubbing old wood with Murphy's Oil Soap
until it glows
slow
each stroke of the hand
and the rag
a sacrament
dry logs crack and pop
fired with kindle, an old warmth
the tongues of fire
rings of years
burn together
a crucible
time, now measured twice
a rushing slowness bounded by twos
moments shared
each a smoky jewel
subtle
and polished
a devotion
the oldest lore
filled with the gravity of
water
distilled from stars
hearts falling
into orbit
a promise