Photo by Casey Horner
January Lessons
Carol Mikoda
Teach me,
falling snow,
fine as flour from a sieve,
to see beauty with a sharper eye
and more discernment:
curve of crow’s wing
wheeling above the midden
where I throw my winter compost.
Teach me, cold day,
the measure of my strength:
wearing warm wool and boots that grip,
striding through arctic gales.
Teach me,
even as kindling teaches me
to seize a hatchet by the smooth end
and find the weak spot
that will let the light in,
light the fire
that heats my rocker
by the stove.
Carol Mikoda
Teach me,
falling snow,
fine as flour from a sieve,
to see beauty with a sharper eye
and more discernment:
curve of crow’s wing
wheeling above the midden
where I throw my winter compost.
Teach me, cold day,
the measure of my strength:
wearing warm wool and boots that grip,
striding through arctic gales.
Teach me,
even as kindling teaches me
to seize a hatchet by the smooth end
and find the weak spot
that will let the light in,
light the fire
that heats my rocker
by the stove.