Battlefield

Frozen December morning, No birds chirp or squirrels that run. Nothing for dogs to bark at. All last night of freezing rain. Now every tree branch, Every limb, blade of grass, All shrubs and twigs, Locked in a straight jacket of ice. I never been in war, But high fir and brittle alder branches Snap loud and Bang the ground like bombs must do. I hope my ice-bound soul Melts before I snap.