first snow

young eagles regroup

for some parental guidance

as the first snow nears

here, the rules of survival

change along with the seasons

–photo by me

in the headlights (shadorma)

when we try

every morning

to cross the

rocky way,

the beasts come without warning–

searching for their prey

photo by me

perfectly lost

upon the inspection

of his own reflection,

the gull was impressed

and called it perfection.

with no explanation,

he deserted his station

and followed his image

to an unknown location.

sometimes self-promotion’s

a powerful potion,

and soon the gull found

he was lost on the ocean.

–photo by me

tamaracks

have you

ever seen

the evergreens

turn yellow

in the fall?

if so,

in fact,

they’re tamaracks–

not evergreens

at all

–photos by me

The Aurora

Standing out here under a starry, Minnesota-dark sky, I can understand why some of my ancestors thought the aurora borealis, like the rainbow, was a bridge leading from Midgard (earth) to Asgard (home of the gods). Although the northern lights are often swirling and dancing across the ebon stage, sometimes they are still, like a ghostly, glowing bridge to the heavens. I get it.

are the northern lights

but a restless, emerald

stairway to heaven?