Winter Scene in the Woods

Matins in Winter Wood

Early
in the morning
of a day
whose afternoon
promises
to be payback
for the sins
of the night before

Early
in the morning
at an hour
that’s otherwise
nondescript
nothing special
prosaic
ordinary time

Early
in the morning
a moment
dawn’s light on snow
breaking branch
forest disturbed
explosive
followed by silence

Early
in the morning
an instant
supplication
confession
absolution
forgiveness
life ever after

Early
in the morning
of a day
whose afternoon
refuses
to look behind
at the sins
of the night before

(By C. Eric Funston)