juniper prayer ::

exploding juniper

interrupts winter's sharp

silence :: remnants of

fallen ice lie dormant

in sunlight too cold

and vague

to melt them ::

these trees, grandfather,

embody thousands

of scents

resins

smokes

prayers

versions of fragrant

holiness ::

let thanks be

given for winter's

frozen gifts :

arrayed

on the crystal earth

in place of

necessary prayers ::

so we dance like

smoke : propelled by

the air we breathe

and by the heaven

to come : someday :

when we stop

looking and see :::