Footprints Poem by Julian Takali

Waves of the calm, cool, cold loom from behind the mountains
Bleeding in and around the rigid, rocky rough flesh of the valley
The ugly frost flows freely
From the tall tired trees
Roaming
Strangers pass the trail in search
Fox by fox
Wolf by wolf
Boot by boot
Etching their prints into the white meat
Leaving marks in Mothers brawn
Poking the puzzle
Savoring the smell
Treading the track
Winter winds gust the land
Kissing each branch and bush
With strokes of beauty - painting in delight
Smearing the footprints of the creatures you know
Smudging them all to the riddle from before
From three steps - all will die
Proving nature is the only beast that will survive