Looking out at the window, I shrugged off the FLAKE or two that was falling. And so I stayed working at the library until closing time. Stepping out, head full of research and thoughts of the future, I paid little attention to the sidewalk. “Oh my!” I exclaimed, caught unawares by the slickness of wet snow. I threw my arms out and caught a man by surprise. He instinctively grabbed me, encircling my waist as neatly as a well-flung LASSO. Embarrassed and more than a little confused, spewing forth apologies, I raised my head to what must have been one of the most beautiful beings on Earth. And what’s more, he seemed the very definition of VALOR – instincts causing him to spring into action. But before dear Reader, you turn this into some cute-meet scene, indeed, the perfect winter romance, (hot cocoa and invitations to
CAROL through the neighborhood not optional!), let me hasten to explain that this was in fact my younger brother who had come to pick me up. He just didn’t know he was going to do so in such a literal fashion. “You should really pay more attention, sis. But hey, nice Moro reflex you got there!” “Thanks,” I said, ruffling my feathers back into place, so to speak and continuing with, “where’s the car parked?”

Georg’ann

Sitting side by side on the metal mesh picnic table,
silence, after layers of conversation.
We marvel at the quality of the late summer LIGHT
limning the marshy plants with rose gold.
A flock of geese floating on the water.
Out of the trees across the inlet
we watch a bald eagle PLANE
toward the causeway, then flap mighty wings,
lifting skyward, disappearing beyond the dam
at the far end of the lake.

A metaphoric flight of relinquishing, accepting,
moving with grace, into the great beyond
The death flight of which we’ve been talking

No words spoken as our attentions turn
to the bright colors in the SALAD
harkening us back to times fresh and crisp.
day waning
season waning
life waning

Too soon the season of darkness will be upon us.
What CAROL will be sung in the evergreen
boughs of sorrow, flanking the sanctuary.

Heather