In the Rockies at Ten Thousand Feet
by Marcel Aime Duclos

Here comes winter
and
aspens soldier above
painted forest floor
under morning snow.
Mule deer seek oak groves
while
bighorn sheep retreat,
find refuge below,
leave tufts of grass
to lone mountain goats.

Here comes winter
and
serpentine passes
offer barricades
of crystalized snow
while
winds slash white peaks,
sweep dark wilderness
of last year's refuse,
quiet foreign noise.

Here comes winter.