Sometimes I imagine The darkness of late afternoon Exists to remind me how surely All light will disappear. As the sun, in heavy clouds, declines Behind hills - just as suddenly All thoughts of day vanish, too. Star this time of year. As if the whole world depends on me Being here staring through a hole In Ice, answering the old riddle About what gets bigger the more Is taken away. I could count My losses as losses, but tonight The world begins its graceful slide Toward spring.
Winter seems to pause A moment.
The float tugged beneath the surface Threatens to pull me down, too. Instead I draw the line tight And set the hook. I might as well be reeling in stars. Reflected through dark water To just within reach, becoming a fish That can't live in air. My cold hands fold Around him as if in prayer.