Tick-tock of snow 

on my tea flask; Lnick-knock

of Flicker on frosted bark. 

 Whump, thump, of snowy

     waterfalls thundering from pines. 

Then, just my breath.

Soft white eruption:

         cattail seeds rush on their way,

         in Autumnal light.

 Sharp fresh apple crunch

stills the avian chit-chat

in the copper cattails.

   Mountain chickadee

tells the same story: oak leaves

crisp-gold or newly-green

clouds capture sunset, 

we sit, sharing stories;

       choosing my words carefully

 Step child of Transport;

     frayed, faded, making do...

     and small acts of kindness.