One-twelfth of the new year gone already

sweeping the rug
one long cat whisker
and then another
~~

before tonight's freeze
plucking four inch-high buds
of daffodils
~~

graveside service
momentarily halted
two geese fly over
~~

TANKA

5 degrees outside
55 inside, with ice
on the thin windows
   layered and lap-robed
   I watch birds out in the sun
~~

blackbirds in the yard
pecking among the crisp leaves
robins on the roof
~~

cat wiggling
through the barely-open door--
below freezing
~~

c 2014, PL lovepat press

January good for short poems

by Pat Laster

a dry gum leaf
traveling up the pine
in the squirrel's mouth
(2000)
~~~~

cardinal
amid the ice-thickened
branches
(2012)
~~~~

two inches of snow
           no birdseed
                no birds
(2001)
~~~~

after the thaw
fallen branches
become kindling
(2001)
~~~~

another night
below freezing
inside, firelogs burn
(2013)
~~~~

icicles
where beautyberries once hung
inside cat wants out
(2013)
~~~~

Perfect
blanket of frost
adorns the land as if
a cosmic artist painted while
I slept.
(2013)
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