For Now I am the Winter

For now I am the winter

beneath the mask

revealed beneath the 

cold water of the sea.

Eyes open to the sky

above the surface

breath held time slows

as snow flakes float.

The sea cradles my limp body

carries me further into depths

away from the forming ice.

The sea floor echoes.

For now I am the winter

overtaking the autumn

freezing rivers and lakes

the graying sky swallows the sun.

Across the field a black swan

swoops low, just above the

Indian grass and sumac.

Winter's presence everywhere

and nowhere as red wildflowers

disappear into white.