Footprints

There is a sense of trespass 
on this frost enameled morning
as I leave my footprints graffitied
across the white grass,
sending the noise of every step 
to crunch my presence 
into a wide, frozen silence.

I stop, marooned in the middle
of a crystalline surround 
that seems so brittle that if I take
one more step I will cause
this fragile world to shatter.
It is so delicate, exquisitely beautiful 
balanced on the edge of melt.

Even my taken breath seems
to send a threatening shudder through
its chambers. It would be good
to stay here, to be taken out of time 
and become part of what is distilled 
just below the quiet
of this blessed freeze.

But the sun now is coming through 
the trees casting its rays across 
the crusted ice. A thin, steamy mist 
is rising. This lovely world is beginning 
to melt and another is getting ready
to emerge. Birdwings brush the air.
My footprints are dissolving into grass.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Swan Avatar
May 17, 2024 at 6:13 AM
Love this. Fave. So many beautiful mysteries in this poem. How to pick one? I like the concept of 'out of time...just below the quiet'. And the ending makes me want to get up very early just to see this. J :)
Willason Avatar
May 18, 2024 at 2:10 AM
So pleased Jeanette to receive such generous comments...has made my day. Learning that a poem has managed to convey something meaningful is so reassuring and rewarding. I thank you sincerely...take care, Paul
Wolf Avatar
May 12, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Your descriptions are so moving even as they both so precise and yet so poetic. A pleasure to read the verse of a real craftsman, Paul! Thanks, Gershon
Willason Avatar
May 13, 2024 at 5:12 PM
So grateful for your comments Gershon....to receive such positive endorsement is an honor....I thank you sincerely my friend and fellow craftsman. Paul
Lawless Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 3:50 PM
"birdwings brush the air".....that single phrase had me signing wistfully in a peaceful ...relax. Beautifully done Paul
Willason Avatar
May 11, 2024 at 12:09 AM
Good to hear that the poem sent you its relaxing vibrations...thankyou for giving it your time my friend. Always good to hesr from you.
M  Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 3:27 PM
There once again with you Paul! A cold morning in Melbourne? Another wonderful “Paul” poem! Debx
Willason Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Dearest fellow Aussie....honored to have you by my side on my walk. Coat and scarf weather approaching I'm afraid. Thankyou again Deb.
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 11:09 AM
Hello Paul Willason, This is a beautiful poem. I enjoyed to read. I am m a,king it my fav. /Darlene/
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 11, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Hello Paul Williams, Hi! i hope you are having a nice weekend. Your welcome Paul. Paul it is a wonderful poem. I enjoyed to read. Have a wonderful weekend. /Darlene/
Willason Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Thankyou Darlene for your visit, your poisitive comments and giving the poem a fav. status...feel honored. Take care, Paul
Rodgers Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 9:23 AM
Hello Paul, You have wonderfully captured the delicate dance between presence and absence and the weight of our impact on nature's fragile beauty. I loved how your imagery unfolds like a delicate symphony, each step echoing in the frozen silence, leaving g behind a trail of temporary existence. Yet, amidst the transient nature of our imprint, there's a longing to merge with the timeless essence of the surroundings. I believe there is a profound connection between human presence and the ever-changing natural world. - Blessings, Daniel
Willason Avatar
May 10, 2024 at 11:50 PM
Wow !. So thankful for your thoughtful and inspired comments my friend...you have a way to inside of a poem. Can almost feel your footsteps tread the territory. Thankyou Daniel, once again.
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