Beetlebung and Kettlehole--April Poems

Winter in the Forest

(A John Pike watercolor)

wilderness covered by
an incandescent dragon
in diamonds of ice
wide girth and hues of white

perhaps a dark story, but, no
a transient light --light, powerful light--
whirling through snow-laden branches
trapping the monster’s plot

so tiny in this fluid scene,
ant-like in a blue snorkel,
and possibly
a cap, its fur earflaps down,

a hardy, gruff hunter
trudges devising
complicated dooms
with his own plot

snatch the rifle from his hand
turn him around
invent him a face
comfort him with a warm touch

soften him up
so I can dwell in
this widespread vista
without mourning

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prompt: respond to a work of visual art in your poem