JET - January 2021

Wingtips in the Snow 

Walking through the meadow

on a blanket of new fallen snow

it was obvious: 

we were not the first 

to pass this way. 

My dog and I were making our way 

along paths strewn with footprints 

which appeared from nowhere 

and whose trail ended 

just as 

fast. 

Three toed feet moved along 

step by step 

walking straight 

and circling around 

here and there pausing 

to peck at the ground. 

Strange lines in the snow 

surrounded the prints 

evidence of something 

being dragged along 

while feet 

did their stuff. 

A closer look 

at one of the places 

a crow landed 

not so softly 

solved the mystery: 

Left and right 

of the feet 

which left their mark 

were the imprints of wingtips

pressed angel-like into the snow.

                                                                                JET - January 29, 1997

                                                                                    Chillisquaque Creek Farm