SWEEPING THE MOUNTAIN ON SOLSTICE

 

SWEEPING THE MOUNTAIN ON SOLSTICE

        for Josh & Kate

Waiting for Ski Patrol at last light

on the shortest day of the year

last ones on the mountain

helping to put the mountain

to rest with ceremony,

your eyes with the Patrol’s mission

to look into trees, and tree wells

for any fallen or lost. Already

dark, wind blowing hard

through alpines making

its own noise. Two cousins

with their own take on a year still

in the middle of a plague.

This day doesn’t tip one way

or the other, tied for dark

and tied for light. The two

of you skiing fast through this,

nobody’s behind you on this run.

The two of you winter weathered.

Bushed. After you get out

of those ski boots

we’ll stop for burgers.

      Love, Gpa

      30 December 2020